Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal's defensive problems are due to poor communication

ARSENE WENGER has admitted that Arsenal are lacking leadership in defence and have communication problems after Per Mertesacker came under fire over Liverpool's stunning late equaliser at Anfield.

Arsene Wenger GETTY

Arsene Wenger says Per Mertesacker has had a difficult start to the season

The six foot six inches Mertescaker was heavily criticised after failing to mount a serious challenge as Martin Skrtel thundered in to head home Adam Lallana's corner in the 2-2 draw on Sunday.

There have been defensive problems all season, with Wenger last night revealing that "nobody talked," at the back before the corner was swung in.

Long-term injury victim Laurent Koscielny may be fit for the visit to fourth-placed West Ham on Sunday but full-back Mathieu Debuchy will have to deputise again in the centre against Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates on Boxing Day.

"Mertesacker gives his best and on the corner it is more of an organisational and collective problem because nobody really talks," said Wenger.

"They should talk, yes. Maybe they do talk but it doesn't look like that when you look at the pictures.

"Of course it's important to have someone organising. Sometimes it's just one yard forward or backward that makes a difference. You want somebody to take the leadership there.

"We work on it. Usually we're not bad on set-pieces. We have one of the best records in the league."

Wenger has said that he will attempt to land a back-up central defender during the January transfer window.

Newspaper Review - Tuesday 23 December

I believe Per is on the way up. He had a difficult start to the season, but he's been much sharper

Arsene Wenger

The problems at the back have been one of the major causes of complaint from fans - those who back Wenger and the minority who want him to quit - who recall the title triumphs built on the most famous defence in the club's history.

It included the club's current defensive coach, Steve Bould, as well as Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn.

Wenger believes Mertescaker's problems this season are due to a hangover from playing in Germany's World Cup triumph in Brazil last summer.

He added: "I believe Per is on the way up. He had a difficult start to the season, but he's been much sharper.

"Many people had a go at him for the corner but I looked at it and he had no chance to get that ball in the zone where he was.

"Maybe it was because he sees that he hasn't got the ball and somebody jumps over him. It's a reflex. But I don't think he could have got the ball.

"Sometimes like that people are after you just that moment where you are not at your worse. He has to get over that.

"It's not easy for him. When Koscielny comes back - and with Debuchy now back from injury - we will be more stable.

"It's difficult for players like Per who go to the World Cup. You don't really see them before November. I have enough experience to know that. It is difficult to get the hunger to go to Stoke and win or Sunderland, having won the World Cup.

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"We have had no stability at the back and when you look at the number of players who played centre back this season, it's not easy.

"We need as well to get our injured midfield players back so we can defend better."

Among the midfield players missing on Arsenal's crippling injury list is club captian Mikel Arteta, who is suffering from calf and ankle problems.

Jack Wilshere and Mezut Ozil are also facing long recovery battles.

Wenger said Arteta will not return until January and added: "He's missed because he's a better ball winner than people think he is. He's an organiser and he puts his foot in. Technically, he gives us a good level from the back and he's an important player for us."

Theo Walcott may return after a groin problem against QPR after being an unused substitute at Anfield last Sunday. Aaron Ramsey may be recovered from a hamstring strain in time to face Southampton on New Year's Day.

Walcott has made just two substitute appearances since suffering a serious knee injury in the FA Cup against Spurs last January.

Wenger said "Fitness wise, Theo is not far off. It's more due to the fact he has hardly played since January.

"He has been missed because he's a top quality player, a team player and when got injured was in fantastic form. He has been a big miss for us. Theo is 25 years old, which is the best age for a player of his quality. He is as quick as he was, believe me. I see it in training."

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