Monday 15 December 2014 07:47, UK
Jamie Redknapp believes Arsenal’s lack of organisation will continue to restrict their progress, despite an impressive attacking showing against Newcastle.
Redknapp said that at times Arsenal looked like the “Harlem Globetrotters” after beating Newcastle 4-1 on Saturday Night Football but was stunned at the lack of leadership shown by the Gunners defence for Ayoze Pérez’s goal.
The Newcastle striker was left in acres of space by the Arsenal defence for his goal, which came about when a Jack Colback free-kick was cleverly flicked in by the Spanish U21 international albeit under no pressure.
Redknapp felt that the huge gap left by the Gunners defenders at the set-piece could have been filled with a little more communication towards Alexis Sanchez, who was supposed to be marshalling the area where Perez scored from.
“I feel like I’m always picking holes in Arsenal’s defending,” he said.
“Six of the 19 goals they’ve conceded this year have come from headers. I don’t care if it’s 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 or 5-0, it’s about doing the right things. Doing the basics well.
“As the ball goes into the box, nobody is marking Perez, nobody is talking. There are no leaders. If Sanchez drops two yards, he clears that ball, but no-one tells him. There is no interaction.
“I think those are the details that are always going to cost Arsenal. On Monday morning Steve Bould will look at that and it must drive him mad. That kind of defending would drive previous Arsenal leaders like Tony Adams tearing their hair out.”
