The Gunners have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, but their former striker believes the club need to be stronger at the back
According to Robin van Persie, Mikel Arteta has to solve Arsenal’s defensive problems if the club wants to fight for trophies on a regular basis.
The Gunners made it to the last four of the FA Cup on Sunday, beating Sheffield United 2-1 in Bramall Lane thanks to a winner in added time for substitute Dani Ceballos.
However, the late goal helped overshadow the poor defense that allowed United to equalize in the final minutes. Sead Kolasinac’s weak defense hit Shkodran Mustafi to accidentally line up David McGoldrick.
Arsenal have conceded 41 goals in 31 Premier League games. Van Persie supports Arteta’s appointment and believes that reinforcement is needed to strengthen a longstanding weakness.
“What I believe is that it is very important for Arsenal and Mikel to find a way to correct the standards,” said the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker, speaking alongside Rio Ferdinand BT Sport.
“Corners, set pieces, crosses, you always hold your breath and think: ‘Arsenal could admit’. You fix it with mental toughness.
“It’s like when I played with you [Ferdinand] and Vida [Nemanja Vidic]You would die to save the ball. You would put your head in the first place, you would give everything to block the ball.
“This mentality is necessary to fight for trophies. To be honest, I don’t really see it now and that’s not new. We have already spoken about it and it was even a problem in my time there.
“You have to find defenders who want to do absolutely everything to block this ball. You should try to find these types of defenders.
“I’m not saying these guys are bad, but there is a different level if you want to win trophies.”
David Luiz returned after his red card in the Premier League loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup.
The Brazilian central defender played 54 minutes before an ankle injury – Arteta announced that the player will be rated after the game in his Monday interview – after signing a new one-year contract this week.
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Van Persie is not convinced, however, and suggests that before kick-off, he would try to beat up the defender if he were on the opposing team.
“If you play against him, I would attack him, almost try to bully him and physically contact him and move around him, try to annoy him a little because he is vulnerable,” said the Dutchman .
“The first job you have to do is defend, be solid and trustworthy. If you have more, you can dribble, do some nice passes, perfect. But he has to focus on his job.”
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