Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has praised Arsenal's "fighting spirit" this season, claiming that it is what has been missing from Arsene Wenger's side.

The Frenchman, who made his return to the Gunners on a free transfer from AC Milan in the summer, has been a key presence for Arsenal this season.

Flamini believes that his side's performances have shown that they are capable of holding their own and challenging for silverware at the end of the season - ending their eight-year wait for a trophy.

"What you need in any Arsenal side is the fighting spirit and you can see we now have that," Flamini told the Daily Star. "Perhaps the physicality has been missing a bit in the past few years. But if you want to win leagues and cups, sometimes you have to fight for it, especially when you are playing in the hardest league in the world.

"We have a very good offensive team but it is so important to be strong defensively as that could make the difference at the end of the season.

"We know this is a marathon, a long burner. We have to stay very focused and work as hard as we did at Newcastle. That's all we can do."

Arsenal host Cardiff City on New Year's Day.