Saturday’s performance against Blackburn was an embodiment of just how disappointing Arsenal’s start to the season has been with losses to Liverpool, Manchester United and now a 4-3 defeat to the bottom club in the Premier League. The match demonstrated the worrying defensive problems that Arsenal have with poor teamwork at the back especially during set pieces and throughout the game the Gunners struggled to cope with Blackburneffective counter-attacking football.
There were moments in the game which appeared to show how ittle it meant to the players, when conceding goals they walked back to the centre circle and just shrugged their shoulders. During a pivotal moment in the game, as Walcott was brought down by Robinson, there were surprisingly little sign of protest or complaint from any of the Arsenal players.
Only five members of the team who played in the horrendous defeat at Old Trafford started on Saturday but little had changed, the team still lacked leadership and again failed to defend simple set pieces. The shaky foundations are built in attack and not in defence where the team is as vulnerable as before leaving themselves far too open for Blackburn to take advantage.
There was no leader, Van Persie is probably the side’s best player and I have no doubt he is a capable captain who leads by example off the pitch but you can question whether he is the leader in personality who the side desperately need?
There has not been a real leadership figure in the ranks at Arsenal for many years and it showed last year with the collapse of their season after the Carling Cup Final defeat. Would a team with a true leader have thrown away a 4-0 lead at Newcastle or conceded a penalty in the last minute against Liverpool when the game was won? These were crucial points that mean the title went to Old Trafford and while Fabregas was a fantastic player, he was not a natural leader and he was often found wanting.
Upon his arrival in England, Wenger inherited a tremendous captain in Tony Adams, whose passion and determination inspired the Gunners to domestic Doubles in 1998 and 2002. His successor, Patrick Vieira, was also a great man to lead the side and since he left in 2005 Arsenal have won nothing.
It is so obvious that we dont have a leader, we need somebody with grit but also a good head on their shoulders. The only person i see with these traits are Ver, Song and Wilshere. Ver is my first choice, Song i think will finish mature in the DM with the captaincy and Wilshere come become inspirational
I heard an idea that made sense to me. Have a leader in each level. No necessarily a captain but a director. Preferably has experience and a cool head. So like Mert directing the back, the line and explaining to the guys what he needs from them or they are doing that’s putting pressure.
Midfield to tell which ones not to push so much or even push more up or watch out this player is getting away and needs to be marked.
Up front strikers should know who should hold back or where to find him in the box.
arsenal as a team sucks. D only players arsenal has are. 1.van perse.2.scsny.3.wilsher.4.sagna. Believe me odas are bunch of craps and 4 arsenal 2 be arsenal again arsene wenger needs 2 be sacked period