Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has
told Arsenal they are one of the best sides around ahead of the
sides' meeting on Wednesday night.
With Arsenal having been eliminated from the Carling Cup, FA Cup
and UEFA Champions League in recent days, many feel the team's
season has been a failure, with even Arsene Wenger admitting his
side have 'hit the wall'.
However, O'Neill feels Arsenal still have much to be pleased about
this term.
"They are playing some of the best football in the country," he
said. "This notion that they have only one way of playing and don't
have a plan B, I just don't understand it.
"I wouldn't consider their season a failure. I wouldn't know how
Arsene Wenger views it, but they are still contesting a Champions
League spot at the moment."
O'Neill also feels that Arsenal's youngsters will benefit hugely
from their exploits this year.
"They have been a fine side for some considerable time. From a
distance, I thought this season they may not have the strength in
depth of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.
"I think that has been disproved because some of the younger
players have come in and shown their worth and it has not been a
case of discarding them and waiting for another Carling Cup game to
come along before playing them.
"They are actually putting themselves forward as genuine contenders
for Premiership football and that's where they have gained and they
will be much stronger for it this time next season."
