Alan Shearer was on co-commentary for Arsenal at Southampton and the former England skipper has spotted something worrying in Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners were well beaten by the Saints on the night and they must now focus on the two big trophies between now and the end of the season.
For Mikel Arteta, there is work to do both tactically and mentally and according to Shearer, it is all about players wanting things that bit more.
Alan Shearer suggests Arsenal’s players didn’t want it enough at Southampton
We do it a lot in cup games where the team from lower down the league turns up and puts in a performance for the ages.
However, while Southampton were good, Arsenal did make it easy for them and Shearer, speaking on the Rest Is Football, has questioned the Gunners’ attitude.
“I totally understand why they all pulled out. They’re on the brink of history Arsenal and there were genuine injuries as well. Declan Rice didn’t play, Saka didn’t play, a few others who were pulled out,” Shearer said.
“But regardless of who pulled out and who didn’t play, they still had, or should have had a good enough team to beat Southampton. Southampton wanted it more than Arsenal did. That would be the worrying sign for me. I don’t care who you play or what players or squad players play, you cannot turn the form on and off.”
Shearer’s comments come off the back of Micah Richards on the same night suggesting Arsenal also had a bit of an attitude problem.
After watching from the sidelines, Richards claimed it just wasn’t right from Arsenal’s players.
“There is going to be so much noise around it. With Arsenal against Man City you can get beat in a final. Tonight you asked me if I would play [David] Raya. I don’t think it was anything to do with him in terms of them losing, but you have to play your best team,” Richards said live on air.
“It was only a couple of weeks ago people were saying Arsenal could do the quadruple, Now they are in two competitions. Man City, after what they did earlier on, look like they are going to push them all the way for the league and the Champions League – anyone can win that.
“The most disappointing thing for me was watching them and their attitude. They have been excellent defensively, in transitions they have been very good, the shape has been good and the effort has been as good as anyone. For them to turn up the way they did today, I thought was very poor.”
Votes counted, decision made: Gabriel Magalhaes is YOUR Arsenal Player of the Season!
Clearly, there is a theme developing from Arsenal’s latest defeat and it is something Arteta needs to address.
The Gunners simply have to beat Sporting Lisbon this week. If not, then it’s three without a win and suddenly Man City will have a spring in their step.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
