During the second half of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal reign, the lack of leadership on pitch was often brought up whenever the Gunners caved in crucial moments.
New manager Unai Emery has identified five "leaders" this season, with captain Laurent Koscielny - currently out injured - Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka tasked with being the other leaders.
However, nearly all four of those names have flattered to deceive during their Arsenal careers, particularly Xhaka whose defensive indiscipline proved costly again in midfield against Manchester City.
Former Ireland defender Gary Breen believes the lack of leadership will persist.
"You're talking about one of the five guys appointed captain by Emery in terms of this leadership group," said Breen.
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, center, celebrates with Sergio Aguero and Riyad Mahrez, right, after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates stadium in London, England, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
"The five people: Cech, Koscielny, Ramsey, Xhaka and Ozil. They've all been given that title [and] are all the players who we've seen over the last 2-3 seasons where Arsenal have lacked leaders.
"The very fact that you have to name five leaders suggests you don't even have one. Because you don't name five if you've got a proper leader in that squad.
"Now, I know Cech's a leader, of course he is but he can't really influence that much on the field - around the training ground, yes of course he can.
"But the problem for me with Xhaka is that it's an unwillingness to do the dirty work but worse than that is he never learns from his mistakes.
"That Sterling goal, Sterling picks it up at the corner of the box on his left hand side, he drives across the pitch. Now, as that happens, the right back engages him first. As [Sterling] goes across, the centre half then comes out.
"But certainly a midfielder should come up. Young Guendouzi comes out, shepherds him then into Xhaka and you're thinking, 'Right, where's Xhaka now for the contact?' Nowhere to be seen! We've seen that so often."
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