RIO FERDINAND claims Mikel Arteta must change Arsenal’s “mentality” after “reality hit home” with defeat against Leicester.
Manchester United legend Ferdy believes Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford could already be crucial for the Gunners, who have picked up just three points from their past four games.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have earned only three points from their last four Premier League gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ex-Man Utd ace Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal’s trip to Old Trafford is already crucial so early in the season, given the Gunners’ poor run
Foxes’ sub Vardy headed Arsenal to their third loss in six Premier League games this season last Sunday.
And Ferdinand feels the Gunners have fallen apart since £40million midfielder Thomas Partey completed their transfer deadline dealings.
Former West Ham star Ferdy told his FIVE YouTube channel: “They’ve been having a party since Partey signed. Reality hits home now.
“They’ve been having a party since Partey signed. Reality hits home now.
“They’ve got to respond. I’ve said it about Everton and I’m going to say the same thing about Arsenal. It’s how you respond to these situations.
“Too many times in the past Arsenal have not responded in these situations and have gone on runs losing games and they drift away.
“They can’t have that happen this season.”
And Ferdinand thinks ex-Manchester City assistant manager Arteta has already arrived at a crunch point as he bids to confirm he was the right man to succeed Unai Emery in December 2019.
He added: “I think Arteta has been a breath of fresh air at the Emirates.
“This is now a big time to say to the boys: ‘Listen, you’ve lost, that’s it, we move on’.
“And that’s the mentality shift that he has to implement in this squad. Can he do it? We’ll wait and see.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
