Arsenal’s title hopes took a hit on Sunday following the north London club’s 3-2 defeat away to Manchester United. During a recent stretch in which the Gunners have misfired in front of goal, it was the Arsenal defense that stumbled at Old Trafford. The massive match against Manchester United was only the third game during Premier League play this season that Arsenal conceded three or more goals.

On paper, a back four of Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel Paulista, and Nacho Monreal seems to probably be Arsenal’s best option at the back; however, the Gunners defense was ripped apart and was ultimately their downfall on the day.  While the defense was certainly disappointing to Arsenal supporters, there was also a clear lack of leadership on the pitch for the Gunners as well.

Defender Laurent Koscielny stepped in for Mikel Arteta as the club’s captain for the match.  The Frenchman is Arsenal’s fourth choice captain behind Arteta, Per Mertesacker, and Santi Cazorla.  Arteta cannot currently even make the team sheet due to a drop-off in his play.  Vice captain Mertesacker was demoted to the bench on Sunday because of his own issues with consistency of late, while Cazorla is currently recovering from a knee injury that he suffered in November.

Although Koscielny is undoubtedly one of the top center backs in the entire Premier League, he is not a vocal leader such as Arsenal greats Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, and Thierry Henry.  That’s what this team is missing.  The current Gunners have plenty of talent to win the league title; however, there is a real lack of bite amongst this group.

Alexis Sanchez brings a decent amount of desire to the team, but his form has dipped in recent matches.  Midfielders Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny also supply Arsenal with grit; however, Coquelin has not played a full 90 minutes since his return from a knee injury in January and Elneny is still getting used to the fierce competition of the Premier League. Someone, or perhaps a collective group of players, need to step up and take this team by the scruff of the neck.

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The Gunners are missing Cazorla immensely in the middle of the pitch. While the Spaniard is not a very vocal leader, he brings more order to the squad that his current replacement, Aaron Ramsey.  Cazorla is silky smooth with the ball and calm. And his partnership with Coquelin in central midfield is sensational.  The same cannot be said for Ramsey.

Despite all of this and the fact that they lost a big game at the weekend, Arsenal will be right back in the title chase with victories over Swansea on Wednesday and the big north London derby on Saturday versus Tottenham Hotspur.  While it is certainly a difficult moment in the club’s season, this is a time in which title-winning teams step up and show what they are capable of.  Every club has a road block or two along the way, but if the Gunners are to challenge for the title then they have to make a major statement over the next week.