LEADERLESS
Arsenal verdict: Newcastle defeat highlights Mikel Arteta’s desperate need to bring in a new leader this summer
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IT IS still the same old problem for Arsenal - they need a leader… and BADLY.
Mikel Arteta’s young guns have done admirably well this season - but this summer the boss must bring in some experienced and stronger characters.
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His team started like rabbits in the headlights here in the raucous St. James’ Park atmosphere as they slipped to a convincing defeat at Newcastle.
Aaron Ramsdale was a bag of nerves early doors, and that rippled around the rest of the team, although at least the keeper did recover well with several saves.
The Gunners could - and should - have gone in behind at the break.
Right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu summed up the first half performance while also highlighting a key position that Arteta must strengthen in.
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He suffered an awful night before going off injured and it’s no wonder that Arsenal are looking at bringing in Aaron Hickey for defensive reinforcement.
But whether or not the Scottish international is the answer to Arteta’s prayers remains to be seen.
There is a lot to admire in his selection of talented young guns - but the problem is still the same one that has blighted the Gunners for years.
They need an enforcer, a hard man so to speak, who will be willing to roll up his sleeves, bark orders and lead by example.
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And on night’s like this, someone who stands up to be counted.
Granit Xhaka tries, and Mohamed Elneny has enjoyed a fine turnaround this term, but quite simply neither are good enough if the Gunners want to compete for big honours again.
The bewildered North London club completed just 83 passes in the first half - the second lowest total recorded by the Gunners in the first half of a Premier League game since 2003-04.
Knowing nothing but a win would do here, they should have been the ones on the front foot from the off, but it seemed as if each player was happy to wait for one of their teammates to do something instead of making it happen themselves.
It probably won’t come as a surprise to Gooners that they appear to have blown their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
They are so hit and miss, but just as it got to crunch time, there have been too many of the latter.
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Arsenal haven’t drawn a game in any competition since January 23.
But with a new enforcer, plus a new forward line, hopefully to be added, next season some of those defeats will turn into at least draws, adding valuable points.
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