---
title: "Silvestre – Arsenal have great title chance"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2015/12/15/silvestre-arsenal-great-title-chance/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matt Mundy"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2015-12-15T16:06:54Z"
modified: "2015-12-15T16:06:54Z"
---

# Silvestre – Arsenal have great title chance

Mikael Silvestre believes Arsenal have a great chance to win the title – but must keep Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker fit.

The Gunners are well placed to do just that, two points behind leaders Leicester City.

And the former Arsenal defender thinks [the partnership that the centre backs have formed](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/silvestre-backs-arsenal-title-push#:K7Yt4EpUaonNAQ) is key to their hopes.

> *It is a good year for them to be champions. If you compare Arsenal to the other teams \[in contention\] they have a number of injuries, and yet, they are close to Leicester.*
>
> *Koscielny and Mertesacker have formed a nice partnership. If they can still play together, I think they would be able to win it.*

![Matthias Hangst/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readarsenal.com/readarsenal/2015/12/451694632.jpg)

The duo complement each other well, having played together for the a number of seasons now, and it is those strengths which the Frenchman believes will be the making of their bid to win the league.

> *I think Laurent and Per have the qualities to stop the likes of Harry Kane, \[Sergio\] Aguero, \[Anthony\] Martial or \[Wayne\] Rooney.*
>
> *They have enough experience. I think they showed that last year when they were playing together. I hope that this year they will stay fit and play together.*

Silvestre has also been impressed with Olivier Giroud, who is in a purple patch of form scoring five in the last three, and thinks his compatriot deserves more credit than he is given.

![Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readarsenal.com/readarsenal/2015/12/500065732.jpg)

> *He \[Giroud\] is a fox in the box. At Arsenal, he has many good players around him. They can give him assists.*
>
> *I don’t know his stats this season but, even though he is often criticised, he shouldn’t be blamed. Arsenal are on top, I think he is doing well as Arsenal’s striker.*