Arsenal: 4 things we have to see from Arteta’s side vs Everton

3. Some On-Field Leadership

Arsenal’s naivety when taking the lead in matches has been their Achilles heel this season. Well known now is how they sit off teams when they’re in a positive game state. It’s an inferiority complex that cripples the team.

What’s most baffling of all is that the team clearly has the confidence to take opposition sides on and get into those positions in the first place, so why do they then retreat into their shell?

There are various explanations as to why this is, ranging from inexperience to the manager’s tactical setup, but one element that could help prevent it is some more on-field leadership.

Aubameyang and Partey have been in dire form, which is most worrying since they are the only two ‘senior’ players on the pitch in this team. Neither are especially vocal and someone has to grab his teammates by the scruff of their necks and drag them back up the pitch.

A Granit Xhaka type hole exists.

Whether the leadership comes from the aforementioned duo or is shown from the central defenders, something has to change. For this reason it wouldn’t be surprising to have Kieran Tierney return to the side, someone who isn’t the loudest, but at least gets his voice across.

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