After Arsenal’s defeat to Swansea last night, they are now six points behind leaders Leicester City and we will identify the weakest areas in the Arsenal team.
After the game, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand tweeted “Arsenal’s major failure in recent years is not investing in LEADERS. People that grasp the moment,that set the right tone at the given moment.”
Arsenals major faliure in recent years is not investing in LEADERS. People that grasp the moment,that set the right tone at the given moment
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 28, 2016
Do arsenal actually want to win this league….lowest standard for years…the time is now for the Gunners…
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 28, 2016
And when you look at their team, you struggle to find many leaders that players can look to especially at this point in the title race. Petr Cech is their most important leader, the goalkeeper has had a great first season at Arsenal and there is a rumour Arsene Wenger has been so impressed with him, he is going to make him the Arsenal Captain from next season – which would be a great decision.
The Czech Republic keeper is a player who has been there and done it. He has won almost every trophy available to him and he is the leader Arsenal players look to during game.
Other than Cech, you fail to identify any other leaders who can help the younger players. Per Mertesacker is Arsenal’s captain this season but he is not always a regular starter and the Arsenal fans aren’t always filled with confidence when he plays. He doesn’t look like a leader on the field. Santi Cazola has been injured recently but he does look like a leader, however like Rio Ferdinand said, Arsenal need to invest in some leaders this summer.
Another weak point in the Arsenal team is the striker. They have some good strikers in Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck, but they don’t have a world-class striker who can get 25-30 goals a season or who can elevate them to the next level to compete with the biggest teams in the Champions League. You think back to the strikers Arsenal have had over the years; Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robin Van Persie. Van Persie left in 2012 and Arsenal haven’t brought in a suitable replacement who is on the same level.
Last summer they were linked with Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and if Arsenal could get a striker on his level, he would add so much to the team.