Arsenal legend Tony Adams has criticised the club's leadership and tactical approach ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown with Manchester City. Speaking about the current squad, Adams reiterated his belief that Declan Rice should be captain instead of Martin Odegaard, whom manager Mikel Arteta defended after a straw poll of players.
Adams mocked Arteta's poll, suggesting players would not openly disagree. He said: 'After I made the comment about Odegaard, Arteta went to the players and said: ‘Who do you want as captain?’ And they all went…well, they’re not going to say it to him, are they?' Adams argued that Rice is a 'super leader' and should wear the armband, along with Gabriel.
The former captain highlighted a lack of on-pitch leadership during the Carabao Cup final defeat to City, contrasting Manchester City's Rodri and Bernardo Silva, who communicated effectively with Pep Guardiola. Adams noted: 'I didn't see the same with Arsenal. I didn't see Arteta: ‘Going right, we’re ten minutes into the second half. We're struggling…’' He recalled his own playing days under Arsène Wenger when he could adjust tactics mid-game.
Adams also criticised modern set-piece tactics, saying the pushing and pulling has 'gone too far'. He referenced his own era's blocking techniques, which he claimed were used effectively but are now exaggerated. Adams said: 'The levels of set-pieces - and the contacts and the blocks - it’s gone too far.'
