Amid a harrowing eight days, which has seen them all-but-officially eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona and their Premier League title hopes evaporate through shock defeats to Manchester United and Swansea City, a lack of leadership throughout the squad has been a common criticism thrown Arsenal’s way.
It’s hard to argue. The Gunners will need to appoint a replacement captain to Bosman-bound midfielder Mikel Arteta during the summer but fitting successors are hardly forthcoming, barring experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech and centre-back Per Mertesacker – who most believe shouldn’t be a guaranteed starter at the Emirates next season.
So it seems Arsenal need an injection of leadership into all departments of their starting Xi and if Arsene Wenger can’t find it in his current roster, he doesn’t have much choice but to turn to the transfer market. With that in mind and the coming transfer window by no means as far away as it may seem, This Is Futbol have run the rule over SIX leaders the north London outfit should target during the summer.