Is it really a mental problem causing Arsenal’s mid-season struggle?

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Arsenal’s annual dip in form is well documented since the unbeatable season of 2003/2004 which can only be described as a complete one-off. However, since then, it is often the mentality of the London outfit’s squad that has come into question. Arsene Wenger denies these problems that were originally brought up by Laurent Koscielny after the embarrassing defeat against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League last-16.

There is no doubt that replacing Patrick Viera, both on the pitch and in the dressing room is no easy task for any manager. He was the fire in the centre of the pitch that had unforgettable battles with the likes of Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard, but that fire has certainly gone missing. While Granit Xhaka does show fiery moments, he does not have the same class that Viera possessed. He was able to get up and down so swiftly, and although his tackles were hard, they were clean. Xhaka has proven that tackling is not his strong point, he has already been sent off twice in a Gunners shirt since signing for £35m in the summer. Arsenal crave a midfielder who can win a tackle fiercely but cleanly while maintaining a reasonable threat going forward, particularly on the counter attack.

The currently Arsenal team perhaps are not ruthless enough, they particularly look unable to completely dictate the game without Spanish magician Santi Cazorla in midfield. A lot of fans are looking to Wenger to be more ruthless with his leadership, and perhaps even drop German playmaker Mesut Özil, but the French manager certainly seems to remain set in his ways. The displays of Özil and Alex Iwobi against Bayern Munich highlighted Arsenal’s defensive frailties and lack of strength.

The only two players who show real desire and hunger is the in-form Alexis Sanchez and the seemingly forgotten Lucas Perez. Two men who, when they lose the ball, show real hunger to get it back and get Arsenal on the offense. These are the type of players that Arsenal are lacking, but if Arsenal don’t show signs of turning around soon then Alexis Sanchez could be gone in the summer, with Lucas Perez not far behind him if he doesn’t find regular game time soon.

The character is there, but maybe Wenger is choosing to use a calmer influence throughout the spine of his team, the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Iwobi are the perfect example of this. Francis Coquelin was supposed to be the fire that Arsenal have missed but he seemed easily bundled off the ball by Eden Hazard in their match against Chelsea, and his performances have been below par since the turn of the new year. Perhaps Wenger will look to the ever improving Mohamed Elneny to bolster his midfield alongside Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arsenal’s back four looks stronger than ever but they continue to concede goals. During early parts of the season it looked as though Wenger had finally worked out the perfect formula, with Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal showing real attacking presence while Laurent Koscielny and Mustafi showed grit and determination at the back. This defensive strength was shown in the 3-0 decimation of Chelsea at the Emirates stadium earlier in the season, however, the return fixture showed their defensive frailties instead. The team’s weakness at the back was highlighted by Hazard’s run as he shrugged Coquelin to the ground before easily beating Koscielny and Petr Cech.

That hunger and desire needs to be found by Wenger if they seriously want to turn around their season. At the minute the fans are restless and disappointed, even those who have been loyal to the Frenchman for everything that he has accomplished.

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