Arsenal's 'best defence in years' can help hand side significant chance of winning silverware, says Rio Ferdinand

Arsenal remain unbeaten in their last 14 matches and currently sit second in the league, tied on 23 points with Manchester City in first place and Liverpool in third

Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi will be central to Arsenal's silverware hopes, Ferdinand argues (Getty)

Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal’s current defence is the best backline that the Gunners have had for years and argues that, as a result, Arsene Wenger’s team has a significant chance of winning silverware this season.

Arsenal remain unbeaten in their last 14 matches and currently sit second in the league, tied on 23 points with Manchester City in first place and Liverpool in third.

The side have conceded just 10 goals this season, bettered only by City, Chelsea and Everton so far.

Writing in the Evening Standard, the former Manchester United centre-back praised the Gunners defence.

"This is the best back four I have seen at Arsenal for many a year,” he said. “They are settled and look confident.

“Laurent Koscielny has been one of the most consistent defenders for the last few seasons and has found a great partner in summer signing Shkodran Mustafi.

“Wenger spent a reported £35million on Mustafi from Valencia in August and he’s looked a great acquisition so far.”

The pundit also praised Arsenal’s full-backs, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal.

“Hector Bellerin is probably the best right-back in the Premier League right now,” he added. “He is supremely quick, not shy in getting forward, but likes to defend as well.

“Nacho Monreal has turned into a consistent left-back. There are no frills about him, but he is comfortable on the ball in possession and a good defender too.”

As a result, Ferdinand believes that Wenger’s backline has handed Arsenal the necessary foundations from which to launch a title-winning campaign this year.

“Arsenal’s success in the early years of Wenger’s reign was built on a solid back four and if they can get that right again now, they will have a good chance of winning silverware,” the 37-year-old concluded.

The Gunners face Ludogorets in the Champions League in their next match on Tuesday night.

A win in Sofia will see Wenger’s men qualify for the knockout stages with two games to spare.