Nicolas Anelka has dismissed Arsenal's title credentials by saying they 'aim for third or fourth place.'
The Chelsea striker, who spent two years with the Gunners between 1997 and 1999, also stated that the Blues were a bigger club than their North London rivals.
The comments have come just a week after Chelsea came from a goal behind to beat Arsene Wenger's men 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final.
The Frenchman, who is the Premier League's joint top-scorer despite a run of 11 games without a goal, has had a turbulent relationship with Arsenal fans ever since he left for Real Madrid and his latest outburst will not have helped matters.
"Chelsea are a mega club composed of top players, within which you have to win every game because you are under massive pressure," he said in the Daily Mirror.
"You have to win week in, week out. It is different from at Arsenal. There is a context surrounding the club because of the chairman Mr Abramovich that makes people speak about Chelsea more than about Arsenal.
"Arsenal are composed of young players, aiming for third or fourth place, but we do not really speak about them for the title.
"Chelsea are like Real Madrid - the pressure here is huge."
However the 30-year-old did praise Wenger for bringing him to England from Paris St Germain as a raw teenager.
"I still enjoy a tremendous relationship with Arsene," he added.
"You must respect such a manager for all the things he has done for so many players.
"Thanks to him I have got to know England and I am still there despite all the things that have happened throughout my career."
Your Comments
bigboy
"Trev, as an Arsenal fan, I am almost embarrased to say i share some of your views. We have been in decline for a few years, and what seems to be our biggest downfall is that as the team is starting to get stronger, we lose the experienced players to other clubs prepared to pay for world class players. Could you imagine Arsenal of last season, (including Hleb and Flamini) with current additions of Nasri, Vela, Ramsey. And we all saw what writing a cheque for the Sperstar can do on Tuesday against Liverpool. In our current predicament however, we can not afford to pay lump sums continuously therefore I would be happy if we bought 1 player of Arshavins undoubted quality every year, couple with young unknown talents. I do think the clubs long term future is safe due to Mr Wenger and other board members' is strict control on finances. Southampton are the perfect example of what spending on two fronts could do. Building the stadium and spending on pitch has completely crippled the club. If, .....and I mean if we could keep our current squad together, and strengthen with 1 superstar and a couple Wenger suprises I believe we will be an unimaginable force in the premier league next season.
Now what is your opinion on that sir."
ArVeePee
"Trev: 4 seasons without a trophy is poor but shall we do? Bring in some Russian bloke and have a 'My Russian's bigger than yours' competition? Wenger said back in 2003 that we needed a new stadium or faced a long slow death, and I believe he was right. He has his weaknesses, he's often proved right but makes mistakes like everyone. But who could we get in to replace him, to spend millions we don't have? At least Wenger has vision, and with youth and potential there is plenty of hope. And it's not like the season's a complete washout either: a CL semi-final is something plenty of teams (like say Real Madrid for the last few years) would wet themselves for"
ausarse
"I think our biggest problem has been our injuries. Yes we've sold many players as "Arsene knows". The only thing letting him down has been our injuries. Since Gary Lewin left we've been subject to recurrent and long-term injuries. Surely a system like BioRics employed by AC Milan would help us identify injuries long before they became a problem. AC went one season with only 1 injury-can you imagine that at Arsenal, and how it would decimate all our other "pretenders" to the Invincibles?"
ausarse
"I think our biggest problem has been our injuries. Yes we've sold many players as "Arsene knows". The only thing letting him down has been our injuries. Since Gary Lewin left we've not been subject to recurrent and long-term injuries. Surely a system like BioRics employed by AC Milan would help us identify injuries long before they became a problem. AC went one season with only 1 injury-can you imagine that at Arsenal, and how it would decimate all our other "pretenders" to the Invincibles?"
CleverTrevor
"I think you Gooners are getting crossed wires here. This 'my club is bigger than yours' stuff is fairly irrelevant and pointless. It¿s pretty clear Arsenal have a history incomparable to everyone bar United and ¿Pool. What I am saying is that to maintain your position near the summit, there clearly needs to be some changes. Overtaken by Chelsea and Liverpool in the last 5 years, no recent trophies, a young (and arguably) thin and inexperienced squad lacking genuine class in enough areas, a manager unwilling to take big risks in the transfer market, a stadium that is crippling the club's finances (at least its a huge drain). What we can't predict is the future, but on current form, Arsenal are in danger of sliding out of Europe's elite. I want to know what Gooners really feel. Forget trying to defend your club for a second, this is not a pop at you, I am just pointing out what appear to be facts. You disagree? Great, well then demonstrate the error of my ways, show me how/why this is nothing but a little re-grouping period. I accept that you have a young team (although key personnel are getting on, like ours, and there seems to be an unwillingness to purchase established experienced pros) You may say, well we haven¿t spent 500 million or whatever on players, you may say that the youth will mature, you may say that Arsene knows (and he may do) but it is the slide that has been dramatic. Arsenal, alongside United, have dominated the prem since its inception and this is simply not the case anymore. Cesc_Bomb, I was surprised you trotted out the old ¿well if you don¿t agree with me you know nothing about football¿ jibe...I expected more. Your CL campaign has been impressive (despite the easy draw) hopefully we¿ll see you in the final! "
Cesc_Bomb
"CleverTrevor: If you can see past your blue deluision you will find that even after all the money you've spent, you really aren't any better than Arsenal. Chelsea finished a wopping TWO points above Arsenal last season. Wow. Your dominance is there for all to see. If any team is going backwards it's Chelsea. What happened to that team who dominated all before them and strolled to the league title? I'll tell you - It got old. And it's getting older and older by the season. I haven't said a word about who's club is the bigger because it doesn't interest me. And if being in the semi-final of the CL for the second time in 3 years is mediocrity then it just shows how much you know about football."
Arsene_Knows
"Anelka would be nothing if it wasn't for Arsenal, and he still shows this level of contempt for the club that made him. Shocking!
I remember when he left Arsenal for Real Madrid (and £20mill+ profit) there was this website where you could punch Anelka in the face repeatedly. I Gosh i miss that website!"
jonathandvcrane
"CleverTrevor, how long will we Arsenal fans tolerate no success? You tell us how long we should wait considering your club knows better than ours. Now when you say recent times, you must be speaking of the last five years because before that you were crap. Your biggest moment of glory was Kerry Dixon scoring a second goal at your mickey mouse ground to ruin Arsenal's undefeated season, don't worry we 've had one since. Success? Your team is 30+ and on the down we are 24 and below and on the way up so watch your words now as you come to rue them in the near future. Trevor not so clever."
zaz_meister69
"I completely agree with thierryhenry and clockendgooner on this. I cannot wait to see when Manchester City players in five years time are churning out these sorts of statements, and if Manchester City are successful it will be confirmation of the fact that football has been destroyed by billionaire owners."
CleverTrevor
"Cesc, I always find your little inputs amusing, well done that man....ok, tell you what, why don't you just accept mediocrity like you are doing at present and shut up about being this massive great big enourmous huge monolith of a club. Problem is pal, you can't back it up. If I were a Gooner I'd be calling time on Wenger. The man has been great but clearly can't build a team anymore that is capable of a challenge. Great youth but where is the success. You really think that your beloved Fabregas will stay when he realises that he won't win any silverwhere yet again. Say its not fair because we don't spend the money? I'd rather have a decent team than an amazing stadium any day of the week. Your big rivals spend it, morally or not, fairly or not, and if you want to stay in the game, Arsenal have to do something about it too. Don't get me wrong though, I'm enjoying your slide out of the big time, its brill, long may it continue. "
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