It is becoming clearer that Arsenal lacks a leader By Sylvester Kwentua
Hello friends. Arsenal did it again! I will be lying if I should say I am happy with the Arsenal team right now! If I had my way, I will love to have a meeting with Arteta and ask him one important question, and that is why his team doesn’t have an on the pitch leader?
Against Manchester United, the same flaws that has been destroying Arsenal in the big games, reared its ugly head once again.
However, this time was worse because Arsenal looked like they were not prepared to play another big team yet. I mean, the players should have known what was at stake and risen up to the occasion the way Christiano Ronaldo rose up to the occasion for Manchester United! Where is the leader in Arsenal?
The presence of the senior Arsenal players on the pitch is meant to give the junior players the needed springboard to bounce high! But what did we see against Manchester United? Even the senior players played like they needed the motivation themselves.
Aubameyang especially looked like he needed somebody to remind him of how influential he is meant to be to the younger men in the Arsenal team. Missing glaring scoring chances is uncharacteristic of a team leader. When a senior striker misses chances to put things straight for his team, he puts pressure on the rest of the team. Yes, the team lacked the extra punch needed to go the extra mile.
Let me say here that Aubameyang is not the only culprit here, as the other senior players who played against the Red Devils also did nothing to motivate the younger players in the team. The likes of Lacazette and Nketiah who came into the game in the second half, fizzled out as soon as they were introduced into the game. It was annoying to see the efforts of the younger players like Martinelli and Saka and Odegaard struggling to make things happen for the team, without being led or complimented by a strong leader on the pitch.
Arteta, who is Arsenal’s leader on the pitch?
We are Arsenal and proud.
Completely baffles me that Auba is captain??? Why, because he scored a lot of goals in past seasons?? How on earth does that qualify you as captain material.
Based on attitude and regular starting, I’d just give the captaincy to Ramsdale. Seem to be a good communicator and doesn’t mind letting someone know they aren’t pulling their weight. Actually shouts and talks as opposed to the mute Auba that doesn’t even lead by example.
I doubt leadership has any relevance.
Arsenal has played exactly the same every game this season. The results have been influenced by one major factor… the quality of the opposition.
We lost to Chelsea Manchester City and Liverpool because they were much better teams.
We beat Norwich Burnley Tottenham Villa Leicester Watford Newcastle because we have a better squad.
The results have all been entirely predictable.
Nothing to do with leadership, player selection, formation or tactics.
Man Utd won because they have a stellar squad who were desperate were playing at home and have Ronaldo and Bruno two world class players the like of which we don’t have.
We will beat United in the return and will take points off Liverpool and Man City also when they visit the Emirates. The team played as well as coud be expected.
Even losing to Everton would not be a surprise as they are due a win.
After that we should win 4 straight against Southampton Westham Leeds and Norwich and be 5th at Xmas.
Man united played nothing, in my opinion. Those goals conceded were gifted to them by us. Auba is finished! We lost that match because of him and not as a result of Odegaard’s action. I suspect that Auba has sth he is using to blackmail Arteta because if not, why should he be starting? Why? Tomiyasu, Martinelli, saka, Gabriel were the few who made proud, yesterday. The most frustrating part was where he tried to prevent Odegaard’s strike from getting into the net as a result of poor positioning. Same, did he against Watsford as he denied the poor boy(Odegaard) a goal. In the aftermath of the game, he had the gut to like Ronaldo’s post on Twitter😩, having lost the same match.
With respect, results have a lot to do with selection and tactics, and sadly, Arteta seems oblivious to those who are not performing.You do not need to be involved in professional football to see that Auba is virtually a spent force, nor to recognise how much of a liability Odegaard is when it comes to defending.He got away with a penalty claim against Newcastle but not last night.In terms of selection I am quite frankly amazed that Tierney and Lokonga did not start, and unless they are not 100% fit I cannot believe our Manager could make such fundamental errors of judgement.Certain players such as ESR and Saka are in need of a break and Martinelli and Lacca deserve more game time.I have to say I am losing faith in our Manager who seems lacking in invention in terms of selection and tactics.We really must find a DM and set up in a 4-3-3 system as used by Man City and Liverpool.We need more power and physicality in the midfield three and there must be a case for at least trying Ben White and Tavares in this area.Before the match I hoped for the following selection, but our Manager decided otherwise.
Ramsdale.
Tomi, White,Gabriel, Tierney
Lokonga, Partey, Tavares,
Martinelli, Lacca, Saka.
Easy to be wise after the event you may say, but I am pretty confident that side would have emerged with at least a
Point last night.
👍 I concur with your analysis, Grandad. As for leadership, nowhere to be seen at Arsenal.
This is the best analysis of Arsenal right now. And I doubt Arteta can lift us out of this mediocre.
Man united played nothing, in my opinion. Those goals conceded were gifted to them by us. Auba is finished! We lost that match because of him and not as a result of Odegaard’s action. I suspect that Auba has sth he is using to blackmail Arteta because if not, why should he be starting? Why? Tomiyasu, Martinelli, saka, Gabriel were the few who made proud, yesterday. The most frustrating part was where he tried to prevent Odegaard’s strike from getting into the net as a result of poor positioning. Same, did he against Watsford as he denied the poor boy(Odegaard) a goal. In the aftermath of the game, he had the gut to like Ronaldo’s post on Twitter😩, having lost the same match.
Morning, Reading this post makes me smile, a nobody wants a meeting with Arteta, to ask him what’s going on, why are we losing to big clubs. Perhaps this nobody should be reminded, this team have only been playing together for 4 months, yes from position bottom to position 5, in 4 months. The average age of this side is under 23, brought together from different leagues all over the world. Different languages, but to be honest doing brilliantly considering 4 months. Looking at the top sides we have lost to, who have had years together and top named players Liverpool , City, Chelsea, United, big money clubs teams made up of footballs super elite. In all fairness we have an old Aubameyang and lacazette the others have not been heard of before 4 months ago. Arteta is doing fantastic, after the start of the season, bringing in nearly a full new side, moving us up to 5th training the guys to play together teaching them the Arsenal way filling the holes we had at the back strengthening up midfield feeding in strikers, Mr Nobody should ask how have you done this Mr Arteta, and be greatful we have him.
There’s only one player who ever gets vocal with the team and that’s Xhaka! As much as I don’t believe in his footballing abilities to individually spur Arsenal to victory, I do support him in his passion and desire. He is captain material because he wants to lead.
I don’t think there are any other players in the squad who are even remotely capable of the same? Maybe Gabriel? Maybe Ramsdale too? But, Auba? Come on! As much as I have been his biggest fan over the years, he has never struck me as a “leader”. He has passion when things are good. But that goes missing when things are bad and that is when you need leaders. Doe MA even realise his mistakes by now?
Defence – no improvement under MA. Thanks Ramsdale for many certain goals saved in many matches that make Arsenal looks good. But the defence in front of him are still the same or worse.
It’s not the défense but the midfield and the attack that are not helping….Individually the défendre wern’t that bad they’r burdenning all the pressure,especially in big games,on their shoulders ….Defending IS a team latter dear Kenny
Matter
“The senior players must lead by example” is a dig at Auba by Arteta.Drop him !!! You may say….So it be…