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Arsenal: William Gallas Spot On With Shocking Chelsea Claim
William Gallas has stated that Chelsea are the biggest team in London. The claim is depressingly true and a stark reality for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.
The past decade has not been a productive one for Arsenal under the guidance of Arsene Wenger. Unlike his early years, during which the club were the primary challengers to the superiority of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, more recent times have not brought such illustrious rewards.
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There are many reasons for their continued underachievement. The restricted finances due to the move to the Emirates. Wenger’s hesitancy to improve his playing squad thanks to his stubborn belief in those already at the club. The collective lack of winning mentality that severely harms the squad when the pressure is on.
All these are contributors to Arsenal’s fall over the past decade. They have also coincided with the rise and then the consistent staying power of another London club: Chelsea. Amid the recent improvement of Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino and suddenly, Arsenal’s assumed ascendency in London is far from agreed upon. In fact, it is something that is openly challenged by many, including William Gallas.
When speaking to Talksport, the former centre-back who has played for all three London giants claimed that it is Chelsea are the biggest team in England’s capital:
"“The biggest team is Chelsea. They are top of the league and maybe they will win the league. They have won the Premier League four times already so if you have to compare Tottenham and Arsenal, I think Chelsea are the top team in London because they have won as well the Champions League.”"
Although that may be a sad comment to hear, it is entirely justified. Since Chelsea won the title in 2005, a year that the Gunners lifted the FA Cup, Wenger has guided his team to only two meaningful trophies: consecutive FA Cups in 2014 and 2015.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have proceeded to win three Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, two League Cups, one Europa League and a miraculous Champions League in 2012, and they look set to lift another league title this season and are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
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There is, unfortunately, a chasm between the two clubs, and although Spurs are behind these two in terms of recent success and size, they are catching their local and most hated rivals at a rapid rate. Perhaps, then, the comparison to the other London clubs, as Gallas correctly details, is a damning indictment on the recent reign of Arsene Wenger.