Analysing Arsenal’s current form, former players Steve Sidwell, Ian Wright, and Alan Shearer, have been discussing the team’s tighter defence and need for attacking improvement on various BBC shows.

Steve Sidwell, a former Arsenal and Brentford midfielder, has commented on Arsenal’s current form, particularly highlighting a need for improvement in their attack.

Despite Arsenal being top of the Premier League, Sidwell, speaking on the Football Daily podcast, noted that they lack the ruthlessness and clinical edge they had last season. He praised their defence, mentioning it’s solid and how they have only lost one game all season. He also credited Declan Rice for bringing solidity to the midfield.

However, Sidwell pointed out that the final third, the attack, is where Arsenal needs to focus on improving.

“Last season they were definitely more ruthless, more clinical,” Sidwell said. “Now it seems a little bit more calculated. That final third is the area they need to improve. Defensively we know they’re sound and have lost one game all season.

“The defensive third and midfield third look really good. Declan Rice has brought solidity there, it’s really working. It’s just the attack at the moment but they’re sitting top of the pile without playing to their absolute ability. It’s good signs for Arsenal at the moment.”

Similarly, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, speaking on Match of the Day, remarked on the team’s change in mentality from the last season. He described Arsenal as “defensively very sound,” but noted a decrease in offensive creativity, particularly against teams that employ a low defensive block.

Wright observed that while Arsenal is scoring fewer goals than the previous season, they are also conceding less.

“Defensively very sound,” Wrighty said. “Offensively we’re maybe not creating as much especially against teams who in that way with that low block. You can see we’re not scoring as many goals as last season but conceding a lot less. I think that’s what we have to do – build from defence. In the end you don’t need much.”

Adding to the discussion, former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer noted, “They have got Jesus in there and Nketiah to come in. There’s definitely room for improvement. They’re tough to play against, they don’t give a lot away but they can definitely improve in forward areas.”