Arsenal too predictable, says Bergkamp

Arsenal great Dennis Bergkamp has criticised the current Gunners side, labelling them one-dimensional and lacking in character.

The north London side have failed to win a trophy since Bergkamp’s departure in 2006 and are battling to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

The Dutchman stopped short of criticising former boss Arsene Wenger for the team’s decline, but admitted the current crop at Emirates Stadium pales in comparison with the famed squad which won the club’s last league title in 2004.

“I feel there are a lot of similar players there at the moment,” Bergkamp told the Telegraph. “It needs to be more diverse.”

“You need a few strong characters who can get the team going, in training as well as matches. You also need a few players who can make a difference in terms of scoring goals. I don’t feel there are enough of them.”

“You look at the midfield and compare it with ours. We had Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Ray Parlour – when it wasn’t working for one of the big names, one of these could step up.”

Arsenal have depended largely on captain Robin Van Persie for goals this season, and Bergkamp believes it is not healthy for any team to be so reliant on an individual.

“You can’t only depend on one or two players,” he added. “When they’re having an off day, you need someone else.”