Rio Ferdinand pinpoints why Arsenal lack consistency under Arsene Wenger
The Manchester United legend explains why Arsenal continue to struggle under Arsene Wenger
Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal’s lack of leaders has contributed to their poor consistency under Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners have struggled throughout the 2017-18 season to heap more pressure on their French head coach.
Wenger’s side are in sixth place in the Premier League table and 12 points behind Liverpool FC, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
The north London side have been able to rely on the FA Cup to provide some feel good factor at Arsenal but the Gunners lost 4-2 to Nottingham Forest in the third round.
Arsenal lost 3-0 to Premier League leaders Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley to prompt withering criticism of Wenger’s side.
The 68-year-old has faced speculation surrounding his long-term future at the Emirates Stadium ahead of the summer.
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand believes Arsenal need more leaders in the Gunners team to reverse their decline under Wenger.
“[They lack] consistency,” Lampard told BT Sport. “The big part of it is that they lack leaders.
“They lack people in that changing room who can drag people through the trenches, look around and dig people out when times are tough for them.
“I just think that it’s a bit of an easy atmosphere that I sense within the club. I just don’t think it means enough to them, to really dig deep and change their next result.”
Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League title since 2003-04 when Wenger could call upon talismanic players such as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.
The Gunners won the FA Cup last season following a 2-1 win over Chelsea FC at Wembley last season to ease some of the pressure on Wenger.
