• Premier League

Arshavin 'frustrated' by Gunners' defensive 'struggles'

ESPN staff
December 8, 2010
Arsenal have kept just four clean sheets in the league this season © Getty Images
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Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin has made clear his "frustration" over his team-mates' tendency to "struggle all the time in defence".

Despite sitting on top of the Premier League table, the Gunners' defensive frailities have been apparent on more than one occasion this season. Arsene Wenger's men have kept a mere four clean sheets in their opening 16 league fixtures, while a leaky rearguard has put their Champions League progress in jeopardy.

Although Wenger has not been helped by the long-term absence of centre back Thomas Vermaelen, who is not expected to return before 2011, there is the sense that his failure to settle on a regular partnership at the heart of defence has not helped the Gunners' cause.

Now, ahead of Arsenal's crunch clash with Partizan Belgrade - which they must win to guarantee qualification to the Champions League knockout stages - the Russia international has urged the team to work harder in defence.

"We struggle all the time in defence. We have to score more than we concede. That's it,'' he said. "It is very frustrating. We are trying to improve, but we can't. We don't just blame our defenders. Sometimes I can't run, and let defenders cross so the forwards score a goal. It doesn't always depend on defenders. As a team we need to improve defensively.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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