Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are starting to show that they can perform consistently if they keep a settled line-up for a run of games.
Spaniard would love to see what fully-fit team could achieve
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are starting to show that they can perform consistently if they keep a settled line-up for a run of games.
Injuries have again affected the Gunners during what has been another mixed campaign, with England midfielder Jack Wilshere yet to play a game and other key men such as Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna spending considerable time on the sidelines.
Spanish playmaker Arteta has stayed fit enough to start 25 Premier League games and feels Arsenal could be more than a match for any side with everyone firing on all cylinders.
Arsene Wenger has not had to make many changes over the past few weeks and a run of seven straight victories in the league has lifted the team into third place.
"We have been hit with important, long-term injuries the whole season that really, really affect the team," Arteta said in
Sport Magazine.
Concern
"I would like to see this team playing with the same XI for 10-15 games - then we could talk about if we were good enough or not.
"Now we are starting to do it and we are starting to get really good results, so for me the biggest concern is to stop the injuries."
Arsenal are expected to bolster their squad at the end of the season, with Cologne striker Lukas Podolski strongly linked with a summer move, but Arteta feels there is already enough talent at Wenger's disposal.
The Spaniard, 30, added: "Obviously if you spend a lot of money to bring in top players you have a better chance because you have a bigger squad and you can change the team around but, for me, a key thing with our squad is the injuries."
