William Gallas told Spin Genie that Mikel Arteta “is missing something” as Arsenal look set to miss out on the Premier League title again, unless Liverpool slip up.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea defender accepted that “it was tough for Mikel Arteta at the start,” but insisted that “five years is enough time for a manager to really settle. They’re going to finish second for three years in a row.”
The Gunners host Manchester City at 16:30 GMT on Sunday in a clash that could prove crucial to maintaining any slim hopes of ending the club’s league title drought – but Gallas suggested that “it looks like Mikel Arteta is missing something when it comes to being a champion. There is a difference between a good coach and a coach that wins titles.”
Gallas, 47, also told Spin Genie that he feels “[Martin] Ødegaard, at the moment, isn’t performing and maybe it’s due to him coming back from injury. He doesn’t look like he has the energy or power that he had in the past.”
“I’d love to see Dennis Bergkamp back at Arsenal as a midfielder or striker coach, and I think he should work closely with Martin Ødegaard,” he added, posing that “maybe advice from Bergkamp could get him back to his best in creating chances and scoring a few as well.”
But Gallas also finds cause for concern amongst Arsenal’s defensive ranks, suggesting that they should have “possibly” tried to sign a central defender during the January transfer window.
“William Saliba is out injured and Jurrien Timber has to play at centre-back with Thomas Partey at right-back. Their transfer business has left me very confused,” the Frenchman admitted, suggesting that the Gunners should also have tried to sign a forward.
“I don’t see many journalists asking Arteta why they haven’t signed a striker,” he said, quipping that “maybe they’re worried about being banned from press conferences.”