Source: Daily_Mail
Martin Keown: Arsenal were being lazy all over the pitch in shock Braga defeat
It doesn't matter how much skill you have - success is built on hard work, attitude and a willingness to work for your team-mates. There were not enough of those qualities on show for Arsenal on Tuesday night. [LNB]After the demoralising manner of the defeat by Tottenham, the players should have been coming out fighting and working hard for each other. Instead, they played like they were feeling sorry for themselves. [LNB] In poor Nik: Bendtner did little to convince that he should lead the line for Arsenal on a more prominent basis [LNB]Despite the fact there were seven changes from Saturday, the players coming in should share that hurt and have pride in the club and the performance. I watched some of Real Madrid against Ajax and they were all working their socks off. [LNB]There was laziness all over the pitch for Arsenal. Nicklas Bendtner has been talking himself up a lot in the papers, but his work rate is not good enough. [LNB]There were times against Braga when Theo Walcott put in decent crosses and Bendtner was not willing to try to get on the end of them - he wasn't busting a gut like he should have been.[LNB] Off colour: Fabregas limped off with a hamstring injury in the second half [LNB] In the midfield, there was a lack of runners from deep. When you play one up front with two wide men, as Arsenal do, you need runners arriving in the box so you can be effective in the final third. That wasn't the case and Cesc Fabregas did not look himself. [LNB]At the back, the defenders needed to respond with more urgency. Braga were hitting Arsenal on the counter-attack, just as Tottenham did, and the defenders were not reacting quickly enough. They were too often the wrong side of the front men and that was because they didn't put in the hard yards early enough. You have to take charge and bully opponents but it seems as if these defenders don't enjoy that side of the game. [LNB] In defence: Arsenal looked vulnerable at the back against Braga [LNB]Now Arsenal's players have to take collective responsibility. It is all very well taking the plaudits when you do well but you have to take the criticism together, too. It hurts having to listen to criticism but the mark of top players is how they react. You need ruthlessness. [LNB]This Arsenal team need more leaders and it is no good saying, 'I'm not one'. You have to become one because it is an ingredient of being a top player. It is an opportunity for someone to show those credentials and lead the team on to success.[LNB] With the title race so open, there are trophies there for the taking this season. Real winners rebalance, refocus and don't stop until they achieve what they set out to win. This is what Arsenal need now.[LNB] They have lofty ambitions but when it comes to the big games, the Gunners keep falling shortDjourou admits it will be disastrous if Arsenal don't qualify for knockout stages Ramsey sets sights on Arsenal return after ending nine-month injury hellARSENAL FC
