England midfielder Jack Wilshere insists Arsenal can win the Premier League this season, if they can avoid dropping points ‘silly’ points.
The Gunners finished behind champions Leicester City last term, despite being behind arch-rivals Tottenham for a fair period of the season. They lost to Manchester United (3-2) and Swansea City (2-1) to end their title challenge by March.
Wilshere was absent through injury most injury, but is raring to go after a disappointing Euro 2016 with England.
“There are a few small things that we have to work on,” Wilshere told Arsenal Player.
“The biggest thing for me, is if you look back at the games last season we dropped points in, they were probably games we were expected to win.
“We need to be more focused for them, and to take each game as seriously as any other.
“After we beat Leicester at home last season, we dropped off a little bit. This season, we can’t let that happen and if we don’t let that happen we can be champions.
“We can’t wait [for the new season to begin]. Pre-season seems to drag on and we want to get down to business and get the first game of the Premier League out of the way.
“ We know is it a big game, Liverpool improved quite a lot last year and they are only going to get better and better this year so we have to be ready for them on Sunday.
“I think we improved every game in pre-season. I think that is the aim, we know that the first few games are about fitness and then we can start working on things the boss wants us to improve on this season.”
Wilshere also admits England’s Euro 2016 flops, including himself, deserve to be booed by supporters as the Premier League returns.
“I think [we deserve the boos], because we know that we were not good enough. We know that we didn’t reach the heights that the country expected us to meet,” he said.
“We didn’t perform. And for us, as well, the main thing is to look at ourselves. We, as players, know that we were not good enough.
“Of course we let the fans down. We know that England fans are passionate, and they are going to show their frustration towards us.”
By Steve Osborne       @BlizzardSteve75
