‘Arsenal need midfield powerhouse for title challenge’ – Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard has said that Arsenal need a midfield powerhouse and a strong leader in defence if they are to sustain a Premier League title bid this season.

The Gunners are two points behind leaders Leicester City after a third of the domestic season, but have stuttered in recent weeks, earning just a single point from their last two league matches.

Speaking after Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil led Arsene Wenger’s side to victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday night, Gerrard said that although the club boast flair in attack, they need more power and steel in more defensive areas if they are to give themselves a chance of Premier League glory.

Gerrard told BT Sport: “This Arsenal team is littered with world-class players and good players but they just seem to always fall that tiny bit short. “[Francis] Coquelin has been absolutely fantastic but for me, they do not have enough players who go that extra mile and do that little bit of dirty work. “Until they get that big leader in defence and another powerhouse in midfield, I think that they will continue to come that little bit short.”

Arsenal will have to overcome the blow of losing Coquelin for three months when they travel to Norwich City on Sunday to look for a return to winning ways in the league.