Arsenal: Injuries cost Gunners chance to beat Chelsea for title says Mikael Silvestre

Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre told IBTimes UK that injuries to the Gunners' key players cost them a chance to win the first league title in a decade.

The north London club last won the league during the 2003/04 season and they ended their nine-year long trophy drought by winning the FA Cup last campaign. They have made it to the finals of the competition this term.

Arsene Wenger was without the services of his star striker Olivier Giroud as the French international missed most part of the first of the season with a foot injury. Aaron Ramsey has also been in and out of the team as injuries have hampered him to replicate last season's form.

In addition to this, Jack Wilshere has been out of action since his side's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United at the Emirates last November. The England international returned to action during his side's victory over Hull City earlier in May.

Chelsea won the title comfortably with three games to spare. Silvestre claims failure from Arsenal to replace the injured players cost them a chance to win the Premier League.

"This year Arsenal had several injuries. They lost Olivier Giroud for the first half of the season. Ramsey was also in and out. Wilshere also has not had a full season," Silvestre told IBTimes UK.

"I think that cost them a good amount of points. Because they did not have people to replace the injured players. Arsenal has done really well this season."

United have already confirmed they have agreed a deal with PSV Eindhoven for the transfer of star forward Memphis Depay. Louis van Gaal's side will further strengthen the squad in the summer.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and Chelsea are also expected to add quality players to their side in the upcoming transfer window.

When asked if who among United and Arsenal have a better chance of challenging Chelsea for the title next season, Silvestre said: "I don't know. Again, I don't know. It is too early to tell at this stage."

"I think it is too early to say which club will attract best players. I think it's going to be a difficult one cause there are not many quality players out there and the teams are not willing to let their star players go," the former Premier League defender concluded.