Arsenal lacked the inspiration and leadership to defeat Norwich City

Kouassi Gervais Gervinho Yao of Arsenal is challeeged by Bradley Johnson of Norwich City (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Arsenal is out of excuses. International matches or not, tired players or not, losing to a team that had yet to win in the Premier League is not justifiable with anything other than the team’s own fault. It was no coincidence, as Norwich manager Chris Hughton said after the match. The idea was missing in the Gunners’ squad against Norwich and deservedly lost 0-1.
All teams had a break. A lot of teams had missing players who were away to help the national squad in the World Cup Qualifiers. It was the same for everybody but Arsenal’s problem is the lack of leadership and inspiration on the team.

Robin Van Persie is gone and the Gunners seemed to have successfully replaced him with the combined call of German forward Lukas Podolski and Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla â€" certainly the most impressive throughout the season so far. Both have been impressive but what Arsenal have still not recovered after Van Persie is the leader on the team. No one on the pitch is able to get the team going, hence the disappointing performance. The problem is not that Arsenal have no talented players, it is that they are missing a leader, and someone who can provide the finishing kick in the opponent’s box.
Arsenal played a monotonous game lacking any kind of inspiration. The Gunners can now hardly be called “title contenders,” as they have dropped to ninth in the Premier League with just three wins from eight games. The good news for them is that Arsenal are only two points away from a Champions League spot on the table. But if the team keeps their streak of unimpressive and predictable matches, they may have to settle for the middle.
Norwich were not a great team during the match. They were decent at best. With 28 percent ball possession, they would not have won against any of the current Top 4 team in the EPL. The goal was largely a mistake of Arsenal’s goalkeeper Vito Mannone, but the Canaries still looked better on the pitch and would have won regardless. With their little time in possession, they created three real goal opportunities as opposed to the five by Arsenal with their 72 percent possession, who could not figure out how to breach the well-organized Norwich defense. When Norwich was attacking Arsenal could barely contain them and the Canaries were especially dangerous in the counter-attack position.
Maybe Jack Wilshere will be the new leader on the team. After all, media and fans have started a growing frenzy over the news that he made the squad for the first time in 14 months. The 20-year-old midfielder will start slow but once he reaches his 100 percent, he can excite others on the pitch with his technique, ability to control his game and eye for the goal. Maybe the creativity Arsenal needs truly rests in another remarkable return from injury.
Arsenal don’t have a lot of time to improve their game. In just three days they play Germany’s Shalke 04 in the Champions League. Then follows what should be an easy game against Queens Park Rangers, who remain at the bottom of EPL. The next week sees a true test when they head to Old Trafford, where they were demolished 2-8 in their match there last season. They will need the spark, energy and creativity to beat Manchester United. Maybe the fact that Van Persie left the Emirates Stadium for Old Trafford would suffice, but most of all Arsenal have to toughen up on the pitch and start moving.
Arsenal News