9 months ago
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Simon Jordan says that he won't retract his view that Arsenal are 'bottlers' unless they win the Premier League title this year.
The Gunners attracted the unwanted label from the White And Jordan host after allowing a substantial points advantage slip away in the final stages of last season.
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Mikel Arteta's side were top of the table and eight points clear of Manchester City on April 1 last year, but draws with Liverpool, Southampton, West Ham and a defeat to Man City saw Pep Guardiola's side steal a march and secure the title.
That collapse led Jordan to label Arsenal as 'bottlers', a tag that he doubled down on during a tense exchange with ex-Gunner Martin Keown last week.
As a result, the former Crystal Palace chairman was asked for his thoughts on Arsenal following their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday - a result that has moved them to within two points of the table's summit.
However Jordan wasn't going to have his opinion changed that easily.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan said: “They bottled it last year. I don’t think it’s unfair to suggest that they bottled it last year – I’m not going to row back from it.
“It’s just a simple fact – whether it diminishes them or not, it’s upon them to change that perspective.”
Asked if they can be classed as bottlers this season, Jordan said: “They’re not going to win the FA Cup this season.
“They did, they bottled it (last season), there’s no doubt about it.
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“Man City beat them in two games but that wasn’t the reason why Arsenal didn’t win the league – they didn’t win it because they went on a run of form against teams they should have been able to deal with, just like what they did over Christmas."
Responding to a claim that Arsenal will bottle this season as well, Jordan said: "That’s what they’ve been. I’ve yet to see them do anything else. When they win the league that will necessarily be a different discussion.
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“They were 11 or 12 points clear at the top of the league and they threw it away because of their performances.
“They lost to Man City in two games but where did the other five points go? The other five points went to Southampton, West Ham and whoever else they lost to on that run.
“Over Christmas, they turned two games, back-to-back, into defeats, so they’ve got a long way to go.
“The business they’re in is spending £250million to improve on last season. If they don’t improve on last season, then what are we talking about? An improvement on last season is winning the league!”
