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.