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Arsenal sit top of the Premier League, seven points ahead of Liverpool already.The Reds have had a simply terrible start to the season, with four Premier League defeats in a row leaving their title defence in serious doubt.The same problems continue to persist no matter what competition they play in, with this proven again during their defeat in the Carabao Cup to Crystal Palace.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Arne Slot certainly needs to go away and have a long, hard think, with taking a look at what Arsenal are doing so well perhaps something he will need to consider.Former Liverpool player Don Hutchison, however, believes there is one clear reason why the Gunners have been so much better this season, with the Reds needing to dip into the transfer market if they are to follow suit.Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty ImagesArsenal have four leaders in defenceOne clear thing about Arsenal this season is that they have the best defence in the league, and it is not even close.They have conceded just three goals in nine Premier League games, 11 fewer than Liverpool, showing the gap in quality in this area of the pitch.Of course, the Reds can change this by being more resolute, but Hutchison believes that the personality of each player also plays a role, with Liverpool not having enough leaders at the back.“Do you know the biggest comparison when you look at Arsenal’s back four?” He asked on ESPN.“It’s that you see four leaders.
The two centre-backs are amazing but you look at Calafiori and Timber and you go ‘proper defenders, they don’t get bullied.’READ MORE: Liverpool’s player ratings vs Crystal Palace as Ismaila Sarr piles more misery onto the Reds“You then look at Kerkez and Andy Robertson and they are diminutive. “Frimpong has been injured but hasn’t done it so far.
Bradley not had the best start to the season, we all thought he would be different after Trent left.”Liverpool are in trouble when Virgil van Dijk leavesIf Liverpool fans take a step back and think about it, Hutchison is absolutely right as the Reds really do lack leaders in this part of the pitch.Captain Virgil van Dijk is about the only real leader they have, with Andy Robertson another but he does not get the game time for it to play a role.Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are not quite those types of players either, highlighting why this might be a weak link in the team.The Reds have issues all over the pitch but even if they were scoring loads of goals a game, the poor defence would counteract this, meaning their problems continue and suggesting it needs to be dealt with first.

