SILVA: ARSENAL CAN STILL STRIKE GOLD

Invincibles legend Gilberto tells Gunners: Don't panic... the season hasn't started well but there's a long way to go

- JOSHUA MBU

ARSENAL legend Gilberto Silva insists it is too early to hit the panic button despite the Gunners' disappointing start to the Premier League season.

Mikel Arteta's men have fallen nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, with defeats by Newcastle and Bournemouth denting their hopes of dethroning the defending champions Manchester City.

A string of injuries and suspensions haven't helped Arsenal's case, with summer signing Riccardo Calafiori out with a knee injury after a positive start to life in north London.

Captain Martin Odegaard has only just returned from an ankle injury that saw him miss 12 games. England duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have also fought through the pain barrier.

Arsenal will play seven Premier League games before the end of the year that could make or break their season. And Gilberto (above), a veteran of the famous Invincibles side, says Arteta's men can still haul themselves off the canvas.