Casemiro believes Arsenal have been on course to win a Premier League title during Mikel Arteta’s reign because they have kept their key players at the club.
Arsenal are in the driving seat to win their first Premier League title since 2004 as they sit five points clear of Manchester City with two games remaining.
Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand and host Crystal Palace on Tuesday night but they will still need Arsenal to slip up in their final two league games against Burnley and Palace to stand any chance of winning the title.
Arsenal also have the chance to win the Champions League this season as they play Paris Saint-Germain in the final on May 30.
Casemiro, meanwhile, leaves the Premier League at the end of the season when his contract with Manchester United ends.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand, Casemiro was asked about winning his five Champions League trophies during his time at Real Madrid and the 34-year-old believes Arsenal are now challenging for honours due to their consistency.
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‘I remember we won the second Champions League and the celebrations were unbelievable and Luka [Modric] said, ‘look, guys, we need one, two more’. I replied, ‘what?!’, [Modric said], ‘no, no, this team, it’s the best moment with the players, we need one or two more’,’ Casemiro told Ferdinand.
‘I remember it perfectly. It was three more but talking in that moment it was crazy.’
When Ferdinand said Madrid were lucky that the team stuck together, Casemiro said: ‘Yeah, it’s very important, very important.
‘Doesn’t matter if we win or lose in the final, for example Arsenal, I don’t know if it’s this season or next season, he [Arteta] will win.’
Asked by Ferdinand if he thinks Arsenal will win the title, Casemiro replied: ‘Of course, it’s too close, it’s too close.
‘It’s the same with Paris [Saint-Germain]. Four years ago, they lost to us, Messi played there, Neymar, and why did they lose? Because they lost to Madrid [who had a target].’
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