Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell says Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was right in stating that a lack of consistency was the reason why the Gunners failed to fight for the title until the very end last season.
Arsenal endured a slow start to the season and their chances of mounting a proper challenge for the title were already over before the start of the new year.
And Campbell believes that the first two months of next season will be pivotal in determining whether they will fight for the Premier League crown or not.
"I think Arsenal's got a great squad," he said.
"The beginning of the season hurt them a little bit with a few injuries. They need to start firing from game one and not say game 10-12 onwards for it is almost too late by then now.
"You really got to start off well. Back in the day people would say, come Christmas time and we will start rolling.
"Now you got to start rolling in and around August; definitely by September you got to start rolling and getting points and getting into the groove. I think last season that's what hurt them.
"I think Mourinho is right.
"Arsenal were one of the best in terms of football out there around the world but now it is all about getting the balance right.
"Because in football in steely kind of games and being hard to beat (opposition) – when you are playing away from home on a Wednesday, in rain away from home and if you can come away with a win – that is the true kind of football.
"You got to have it when the sun is shining and it's at home and you are playing lovely football and even away – that's when you really show your character."
