Santos wants Arsenal to push on

Andre Santos wants to see Arsenal challenging for major silverware next season after resurrecting their bid for Champions League football.

Arsenal are third on the English Premier League table, five points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea.

It is now seven seasons since the north London club lifted a trophy, but qualifying for next season’s Champions League is likely to be viewed as a success after a terrible start to the campaign.

Prior to their surprise 2-1 defeat at QPR on Saturday, Arsenal had gone nine games unbeaten in the Premier League, including a 5-2 derby win over arch-rivals Tottenham.

“At 2-0 down to Tottenham, I thought that was the end for us,” Santos told The People.

“I think you could say it was a turning point in the season, the way we transformed so quickly in that match.

“We can’t think about winning just any trophies. Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so we need to have that mentality – which means winning the Premier League and Champions League.”

Brazil international Santos is aware Arsenal’s chances of competing for both the league title and in Europe could rest upon whether or not top scorer Robin van Persie commits his long-term future to the club.

The Netherlands international has just a year remaining on his contract, and has put talks of a new deal on hold until the end of the campaign.

“I really hope Van Persie stays,” Santos said.

“He’s a great player and one of my best friends at the club. He has the peg next to me in the dressing room.

“He’s one of the best strikers I’ve played with, though I also played with Ronaldo at Corinthians.”