Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has criticised Arsenal for their “weak mentality” and labelled them “babies” following their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United last night.
Evra, who was a guest on Monday Night Football, revealed he used to refer to Arsenal as “babies” during his United career and believes nothing has changed at the club since Arsene Wenger’s departure.
“I used to call them ‘my babies’ 10 years ago, and they are still, when I look at them and think they are ‘my babies’… that’s the truth – I’m not being disrespectful when I say that.
“Sheffield United deserved the win, but I’m not surprised about Arsenal,” he said.
“They look pretty, but they don’t look like a winning team. They like playing good football, but I was so happy to play against them, because I knew I was going to win.
“Even when Robin van Persie came, and on the first day I shook his hand, and I said, ‘welcome to a man’s club’. At the beginning, he was upset, but after one month he said, ‘you were completely right, Patrice’.
“I just don’t see any leadership. I don’t see any character or any personality. They look weak mentally.
“They have big players in David Luiz, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, but there has been something missing for a few years now.
“Matteo Guendouzi was playing in midfield, but before he was playing in the French second league and he was not even playing regularly – and he’s the best player in this team.
“I respect Aubameyang and Lacazette, but if those two guys don’t score, they’re in trouble, and nothing changes. I’m like, ‘where is Arsene?’ It is the same.”
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher, who was also a guest on Monday Night Football, says Arsenal, claiming they look worse under Unai Emery than they did with Wenger in charge.
“Sheffield United were absolutely brilliant tonight but I actually feared for Arsenal before kick-off,” he said. “I thought it would be a tough one for them, considering how Sheffield United performed against Liverpool.
“How often I’ve done this show over the last five or six years and I’m saying the same thing. Nothing is different under Unai Emery. I’ve said it before, I don’t see anything different from when Arsene Wenger was there at the end. In fact, it actually looks worse,” Carragher said.
