Simon Jordan has insisted that Arsenal still need to prove they are capable of winning silverware.
The Gunners are top of the Premier League and through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating Porto on penalties.
But former Crystal Palace owner Jordan says Arsenal “choked” when they were pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City last season – although they look stronger this time around – and are yet to achieve anything substantial.
Speaking on Talksport, Jordan said: “If you’ve learned lessons and developed more resilience then you’d expect them to be better. They still have to achieve something.
“Getting to the quarter-finals and getting knocked out would still not be achieving anything. Finishing second in the Premier League again would be standing still.
“There’s a lot about Arsenal that one should admire. But they allowed the league to slip away from them.
“If Arsenal had maintained their performances they would have won the league, regardless of what Man City did. They didn’t, so they choked. But they are markedly better.”
‘Magic’ night for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta thanked Arsenal fans for their role in helping the team reach the last eight.
The atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was incredible as the hosts prevailed despite Porto’s stubborn resistance.
“It was amazing, from the start until the end when they had to do that extra bit with the penalties,” Arteta said at his post-match press conference.
“They were so smart in the way they helped us. A huge thank-you, because with them we are much better and they impacted the game in a really strong way.”
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Arsenal levelled the tie when Leandro Trossard scored after being set up captain Martin Odegaard.
Keeper David Raya was the hero in the shootout, saving penalties from Wendell and Galeno, while Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all converted their spot-kicks for Arteta’s side.
Arteta described the victory as a “magic night” and “a huge experience for us” but insisted it was too soon to think about the possibility of Arsenal winning the tournament.
He said: “There’s still very far (to go). Now I’m going to sit at home and look at the teams – who do we have to play? There is still a big mountain to climb.”
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