Patrick Vieira singles out three Arsenal stars for criticism after Man Utd loss but Declan Rice praisedplaceholder image
Patrick Vieira singles out three Arsenal stars for criticism after Man Utd loss but Declan Rice praised | Getty Images
Arsenal were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira felt there were too many Gunners players “who were below their level” in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United.
The Premier League leaders took the lead against United via a Lisandro Martinez own goal. The hosts threw their advantage away as Martin Zubimendi lost the ball which allowed Bryan Mbeumo to run at goal for the equaliser.
Patrick Dorgu put the away side in front with a stunning strike early in the second half but Mikel Merino appeared to have at least rescued a point for Mikel Arteta’s side when he bundled in from a corner in the 84th minute.
However, Matheus Cunha fired in a stunning winner shortly before full-time as Arsenal lost for the first time at the Emirates Stadium this season. The defeat was also the first time in 25 matches this campaign they had not won a game after going ahead.
The gap between Manchester City and Aston Villa is now four points with Arsenal picking up just two points in their last three Premier League outings.
After the game, Vieira singled out Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus for criticism but he admitted they weren’t the only Arsenal stars below par on Sunday.
“They are still four points clear but there is still some questions about the mental strength of the team and I think that performance will be very disappointing,” he said.
“It’s not the fact that they lost. It’s the way they lost the game.
“There was a lack of creativity, they didn’t do enough I think Saka on the right or Trossard on the left didn’t produce enough to create danger for United.
“This situation you need a leader to lift the spirit of the team. There will be this moment where you need somebody to make them understand that when they are the field they have to play.
“This is a team full of quality and to play with more energy and take more risk because they have got the quality. They didn’t’ play with freedom to express themselves.”
Vieira added: “Some of the players need to perform at their best, there was too many players who didn’t perform today.
“It was a must win game because it was important to send a message to show we wanted to win and our performance could send a message to the rest of the teams in the league.
“I think Saka was too quiet, he’s one of if not the best offensive players and big games like that you expect him to take the team and perform.
“Trossard is an important player as well but didn’t perform. Up front I though Jesus ran a lot and spent a lot of energy but you want him to focus to be more inside the box.
“In the midfield the only one was Declan Rice he’s winning balls and bringing energy but there were too many players who were below their level.”
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