We’ve plenty of leaders, insists Wenger

IT does not take a genius to know that leadership is a prerequisite for success in any walk of life, but one of the conundrums that surrounds Arsenal, and a reason why many observers fear for their future under Arsene Wenger, was encapsulated by an incident in the closing stages of their fortuitous victory over Swansea City.

Andrey Arshavin capitalised on a horrific mix-up on 40 minutes as Swans keeper Michel Vorm’s attempt at a quick roll-out hit the heels of Angel Rangel. It gifted possession to Arshavin and the Russian promptly swept into an unguarded net from a tight angle.

They failed to add to this, however. With nine minutes remaining, Marouane Chamakh was preparing to replace Robin van Persie, the Arsenal captain who was having one of his quieter games. The Dutchman took off the captain’s armband and offered it to a number of colleagues without success, before a surprised-looking Chamakh took it upon himself to become skipper for the remainder of the game.

It was disappointing enough that with seven international captains in the squad, it should be the misfiring Moroccan who was left to carry the mantle worn with such pride by greats of the past such as Frank McLintock, Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira.

But Wenger’s explanation did not exactly inspire confidence in the attitude pervading the club. “With only 10 minutes to go it doesn’t matter,” he laughed.

Can you imagine Alex Ferguson or Bill Shankly saying that? Especially with a team hanging on for a desperately-needed victory against opponents, who while modest in stature, outplayed Arsenal for large parts of an entertaining game.

After Ferguson’s side rolled over Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, critics including former Gunner Lee Dixon highlighted the lack of leaders in Wenger’s inexperienced side. Perhaps that prompted him to complete five signings in the final days of the transfer window, including Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun and Per Mertesacker. Bucketloads of experience there, and all on the pitch, along with Wales captain Aaron Ramsey when the hapless Chamakh took the armband.

Van Persie pointed also to the arrival of South Korea’s captain Ju Young Park, who was on the bench, and said: “They are experienced and are all leaders. I’m a believer you don’t have just one captain in the dressing room. You should have leaders in every area of the squad, and that is what it looks like now.”

Wenger agreed: “We have six or seven captains of national teams, so I don’t know whether we shouldn’t have enough leaders. We collapsed at Man Utd when they scored the fourth goal — it was a physical collapse because we had to give it all at Udinese. I don’t think it was down to lack of leadership.”

The Gunners face a daunting Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund tomorrow, and Wenger admits it represents “a big test for us. It’s a massive game”.

ARSENAL: Szczesny 7, Sagna 6 Mertesacker 5 Koscielny 6 Gibbs 6 Frimpong 7 Ramsey 7 Arteta 8, Walcott 6, Van Persie 6, Arshavin 6.

Subs: Benayoun 5 for Arshavin (62); Coquelin 6 for Frimpong (75); Chamakh 6 for Van Persie (81)

SWANSEA: Vorm 6 Rangel 6 Caulker 7 Williams 8 Taylor 7, Dyer 7, Agustien 6, Britton 6, Allen 7,Sinclair 7; Graham 6.

Subs: Gower 6 for Agustien (64); Dobbie 5 for Allen (75); Moore 6 for Dyer (84)

Referee: S. Atwell.