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Arsenal legend discusses leadership fears after Man United loss and why Spurs look better
RAY PARLOUR has blamed Arsenal’s lack of leadership for their 3-2 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday.
Ray Parlour fears that Tottenham look stronger than Arsenal after their loss to Manchester United
The Gunners were blown away by a youthful United team, with 18-year-old Marcus Rashford scoring twice in the first half with his first two shots in the Premier League.
Parlour’s former team-mate, Martin Keown, questioned Arsenal's interest in defending against an enthusiastic United team, littered with academy graduates selected by Louis van Gaal because of their injury crisis.
And Parlour, who played more than 400 games for Arsenal, believes the Gunners' lack of leadership across the pitch - particularly in defence - is a real cause for concern for Arsene Wenger.
"I didn't see anyone on that pitch demanding more from the players," he told Sky Sports. "The big players didn't turn up and at the back they were all over the place.
"The most important thing is the leaders. When the going gets tough you need people like that; when I played we had Tony Adams and guys like that demand more from you when you're up against it.”
Arsenal face Swansea in the Premier League on Wednesday night (7:45pm) before a huge North London derby against Tottenham at the weekend.
Arsenal's team of the 90s
Spurs are currently second, three points above Arsenal in third, and Parlour fears that Spurs look much stronger going into the clash at White Hart Lane.
He added: ”Swansea on Wednesday is now a massive game for them and then they play the North London derby, and at the moment, Spurs are looking a much more complete team than Arsenal.
"They're going for the title and I didn't see the desire and the grit in their performance.
“I didn't see the togetherness that you've got to have at this stage of the season.
"They've got some massive away games coming up and this was a chance to make a massive statement at Manchester United.
"Now they've got to beat Swansea and Spurs and they are really up against it. If they play like they did against Manchester United there is no way they'll win the league."
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