Former Arsenal midfielder and captain Patrick Vieira has questioned the mental strength of his former side following their defeat by Manchester United that blew the title race wide open.
The home loss saw Mikel Arteta’s side’s lead at the top of the Premier League and closest challengers Manchester City to four points, with third-place Aston Villa, behind City only on goal difference, also hot on their tails.
Arsenal have taken just two points from their last three league games, and some fans are worried about whether they have the mental strength to go all the way after falling agonisingly short over the last few seasons.
And that extends to former players, too. Vieira, who was part of the Gunners side that won the Premier League in 2004 without losing aa game, is in agreement that the mental side of the game could come into play for his former side.
‘They’re still four points clear, but there’s still questions about the mental strength of the team,’ the Frenchman said. ‘It’s not just that they lost the game, it’s the way they lost the game. Saka and Trossard didn’t produce enough to worry United.
‘They need a leader to lift the spirit of the team. They need to understand when they are on the pitch they have to play with more energy and more risks. They have the quality.
Patrick Vieira has questioned Arsenal’s ‘mental strength’ following their defeat by Manchester United on Sunday
He also called out Bukayo Saka (pictured) and Leandro Trossard for being ‘too quiet’
‘They need a leader to lift the spirit of the team. They need to understand when they are on the pitch they have to play with more energy and more risks. They have the quality. They didn’t play with the freedom to express themselves.’
Arsenal’s record against the traditional ‘big six’ this season has seen them win just two out of seven games this term, picking up nine points out of 21 in total.
Last season, they went unbeaten in the 10 games, which suggests they are struggling against tougher opponents this term.
After picking out Saka and Trossard in terms of potential weakness of Arsenal’s attack on the day, Vieira later picked out the duo again, criticising Saka for being ‘too quiet’.
In his last five matches, Saka has no goals and just one assist to his name, with Vieira calling for his former team’s star man to step up his game in the title hunt.
‘The strength of the team is to create chances and score goals,’ Vieira said. ‘Especially when they are at home, they are really aggressive with the ball.
‘Some of the players need to perform at their best. There were too many players who didn’t perform today. It was a must-win game for them today, because it was important for them to send a message.’
When pressed on who didn’t perform, he said: ‘I think Saka was too quiet. IU think he is on of the best offensive players, in bog games like that you expect him to perform. Trossard is an important player as well.
‘He didn’t perform. Up front, Jesus ran a lot, spent a lot of energy, but you want him to be more inside the box. In midfield, the only one was Declan Rice, winning balls and 1v1, but there were too many players who played below their level.’
