Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal must address their lack of midfield bite if they are to challenge for honours.
Former Arsenal favourite believes Wenger must add steel to his side
Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal must address their lack of midfield bite if they are to challenge for honours.
The former Gunners favourite, now at Inter Milan, admits to being impressed by the club's free-flowing style when in possession, but feels they are often found wanting when put on the back foot.
With the days when he helped the club claim silverware on a regular basis long gone, the Frenchman concedes that the modern Arsenal are suffering the consequences of not possessing enough steel in vital areas.
Vieira does not feel that Arsene Wenger needs to completely overhaul his squad in order to bring about the desired results, but admits that experienced heads are needed if the North London club are to fulfil their potential.
Balance
"Maybe they have been having too many problems outside the pitch. I think it has knocked the spirit of the team," the Inter enforcer told
Sky Sports News.
"They have got the talent. I think they are better with the ball than without the ball and sometimes in the Premiership you need more fighters than anything else.
"When you go to places like Middlesbrough (where the Gunners were held 1-1 on Saturday), you need to play well to win games. When Arsenal are not passing the ball well, they miss something else to win games.
"It is a team problem. They probably play better football than they did years ago. They need to find a balance. They are conceding too many goals and that is a team problem.
"What is important to Arsenal is to keep the fluid football they are playing at the moment. I don't think one or two players will make a big difference. I think what they need to do is to work more as a team when they don't have the ball."
Bemused
Vieira has also been left bemused by those who have begun to question the credentials of Wenger in recent weeks.
"It is difficult to understand because Arsene has been fantastic and committed to the club for the last 12 years," he added.
"Questioning his commitment and quality as a manager is really difficult to understand."
Desire
The France international also believes his Les Bleus team-mate William Gallas will bounce back from the disappointment of having been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy.
"Of course he was affected by the decision, but he is 100 per cent motivated and accepts the decision," said Vieira.
"He wants to show to everyone that he is a great player and I am sure he will recover and have a good season.
"I don't think it was humiliating. He is strong enough to deal with it. He will show to Arsene, to the Arsenal fans and to everybody that he is a strong character and his desire and commitment is as strong as ever.
"Gallas is a wonderful player, with great talent, and hopefully he can help Arsenal win the title."
