Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas insists Arsenal missed the leadership qualities of centre-back David Luiz during Sunday evening's 1-0 defeat to Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.
After securing a routine 4-2 win over Dundalk in the Europa League on Thursday evening, there was a weight of expectancy on Arsenal's shoulders to seal a return to winning ways in the Premier League against the Clarets, following a run of three defeats in their last four matches.
However, the Gunners' hopes of stopping the rot were soon short lived, as a second half own-goal from captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, following the sending-off of Granit Xhaka for grabbing the throat of Ashley Westwood, sealed all three points for Sean Dyche's side.
The full time whistle was met with a wave of discontent from Arsenal supporters, both those who were inside the stadium and those watching at home on TV.
The display lacked quality, leadership and a sense of penetration.
For Jenas, though, who was appearing on Match of the Day 2 as a pundit, he felt the absence of Luiz was telling for the Gunners at the back, insisting they missed his leadership.
Jenas told BBC Sport: "I do. I get a feeling that David Luiz is a real leader in that team and has authority on how things go in that dressing room, I really do and I think that they and Arteta is missing that.
"I feel like he [Luiz] is actually the lieutenant.
"Aubameyang might be wearing the armband. I've got a feeling David Luiz is the one that is saying how things go in that dressing room."
Sunday's defeat to Burnley was the fourth match in a row that Luiz has missed after suffering a head injury in a serious collision with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez last month.
The Brazilian has missed the Europa League wins over both Rapid Wien and the Premier League losses to Tottenham Hotspur and, of course, Burnley.
It remains to be seen whether or not he could make a return for Wednesday evening's clash with Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
