'Slowly erasing scars' - Rio Ferdinand insists future is bright for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta

Under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are “slowly erasing those scars” that have haunted the club over the years, according to BT Sport’s Rio Ferdinand. The Gunners have made a blistering start to the Premier League season, the 3-1 victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby cementing their place at the top of the table. Ad Arteta’s side have won seven of their eight games this season, a 3-1 loss to Manchester United is the only match they have dropped points in so far this campaign.

Premier League'I don't know what he's thinking' — Jenas baffled by Emerson’s ‘shocking’ red card2 HOURS AGO It is a remarkable transformation from this time last year when Arteta was under huge pressure after overseeing the club’s worst start to the season in 118 years. The club – who are without a Premier League title since 2004 and have not featured in the Champions League since 2016 – have been accused of having a ‘soft centre’ in recent years. But Ferdinand believes Arsenal are now making huge progress with Arteta at the helm.

'I don't know what he's thinking' — Jenas baffled by Emerson's 'shocking' red card offence Harry Kane scores 44th goal in a London derby, breaking record set by Thierry Henry “They have come a massive way, the fact they’re top of the league tells you that,” he said. “They’re chipping away at certain things that you could have held against them. People could say this season they hadn’t played a big team and won yet; they’ve chalked that off with the game today.

“They may be seen as a soft touch when they go to places like Brentford; they’ve pulled that off this season. “So they’re chalking off things that are going to be great, not only for them as a club, but also mentally individually. They’re slowly erasing