Gunners’ legend Patrick Vieira laments Arsenal’s lack of personality, costing them the Premier League title. Read Vieira’s blueprint for Arsenal’s revival.

Mikel Arteta ponders Arsenal's defeat vs Brighton and Gabriel Martinell's injury that left him in a protective boot. Martin Odegard is in the background
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks dejected following the team’s defeat during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
  • Arsenal’s legend, Patrick Vieira, expressed his disappointment over the squad’s lack of personality and competitiveness, which he believes cost them the Premier League title this season.
  • Vieira insists that Arsenal needs more than technical leadership on the field. He highlighted the need for physical presence and leadership to push the team forward in challenging situations.
  • To narrow the gap with teams like Manchester City, Vieira suggests Arsenal needs to rebuild and reinforce key positions, including a centre-back, a right-back, midfielders with more physicality, and goal-scoring forwards.

As the dust settles on Arsenal’s disheartening loss to Brighton, Gunners’ legend Patrick Vieira bemoaned the squad’s lack of personality, which, he believes, cost them their Premier League title hopes this season.

Sunday’s defeat at home, a 0-3 drubbing by Brighton, sent a shockwave through the Arsenal camp, effectively ending their title aspirations.

Premier League leaders Manchester City, with a four-point lead and a game in hand, now only need a win or three draws to clinch the title.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Gabriel of Arsenal applauds their fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Gabriel of Arsenal applauds their fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Reacting to the loss on Sky Sports, Vieira, a treasured former Arsenal midfielder, expressed his disappointment.

He said, “It was an essential match for Arsenal, and today they did not play the one we expected. There was a lack of energy, and I feel like City’s result cut their legs off.”

Vieira, who won three Premier League titles with Arsenal, insists that Mikel Arteta’s side needs more than technical prowess to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the future.

The presence of a technical leader like Martin Odegaard, he argues, is not enough.

“(Martin) Odegaard has been the technical leader on the pitch, but what they lack is that physical presence, that leadership so people can push behind players when they’re not on par. They’ll have to build a team with more personality, more competitiveness,” Vieira stated.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks dejected following the team's defeat during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks dejected following the team’s defeat during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

For Vieira, like any sensible person, this loss marks the end of Arsenal’s title hopes for the season. However, he believes that the Gunners can use this setback as a springboard to rebuild the team and get closer to City next season.

“They lost the title today, and now it’s about how you rebuild the team, what you think you’re missing to improve and to be even closer to City next season,” he continued.

According to Vieira, Arsenal’s squad needs reinforcements in certain key areas. “They need a few elements behind, a centre-back and a right-back. In midfield, they need more physicality, and upfront, it’s important to have players who can score goals.

“If they manage to get these three to four players into the starting XI, they will get closer to Manchester City,” Vieira concluded.

As Arsenal lick their wounds and look ahead, Vieira’s words could serve as a blueprint for their efforts to reclaim their place among the Premier League’s elite.

Only time will tell if Arteta and his team can translate these suggestions into action on the pitch.