Tony Adams has said on Sky Sports Premier League (1:03pm, September 26, 2021) that Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe should not be leading the Gunners.
The Arsenal legend believes that Saka, 20, and 21-year-old Smith Rowe are the leaders in manager Mikel Arteta’s team.
The Sky Sports pundit believes that the two attacking players should not be the leaders because they are too young.
Adams said on Sky Sports Premier League (1:03pm, September 26, 2021): “My issue is that the kids are the best players at the moment. Saka and Smith Rowe are not supposed to lead. We need some good experienced players.”
Does Tony Adams have a point?
Saka and Smith Rowe have established themselves as regulars in the Arsenal starting lineup.
While Saka was part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2020 final this summer, Smith Rowe is one of the first names on the Arsenal teamsheet when he is fit and available.
Senior players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have not been at their best for a while, and, we all know, midfielder Granit Xhaka has disciplinary issues.
Now, every team needs a leader or two, and it does not seem that Arsenal have someone who the younger players can look up to.
For example, Manchester United have Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire, while Liverpool have Virgil van Dijk.
However, you have to say that Arsenal had leaders all over the pitch in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this past weekend.
Aubameyang scored and had a good game, while Xhaka was very good in the middle of the park.
It will be interesting to see if the senior Arsenal players are able to maintain this level of leadership for matches not as big as the North London derby.
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