Arsenal: Mikel Arteta is lacking a big leader, says Lee Hendrie

Despite beating Newcastle United in convincing fashion on Sunday, Arsenal are having far from a good season, and former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes their lack of a big leader is partly to blame.

Their recent 4-0 victory was only their seventh win in the Premier League this season, the same amount Hendrie’s old side and Bournemouth have managed. The 42-year-old did have some praise for manager Mikel Arteta, but he could not hide his concerns with the above.

Speaking on Football Daily, Hendrie said: “[I hope] he [Arteta] brings the right personnel into that football club, because there’s not really a big leader in that Arsenal camp. And I don’t know whether they just kind of missed that. And I don’t feel like they’ve had that for quite some time.”

Indeed, that sort of leader Hendrie talks about is definitely something Arsenal could do with — probably at the back. At home this season, the north London club have conceded 18 goals, a record worse than Watford (17) and Brighton’s (14), as shown on WhoScored.

Next up for Arteta’s men is a Europa League tie against Olympiacos before they take on Everton in the Premier League.

Arsenal fans, do you agree with Lee Hendrie? Let us know in the comment section below!