Lauren: Arsenal need old heads

Lauren has hinted that Arsene Wenger’s rapid dismemberment of Arsenal’s Invincibles lies behind the club’s failure to win a trophy in the past three seasons.

The Portsmouth defender believes the willingness with which Wenger shipped out players such as Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires is now inhibiting the London side’s ambition.

"People think I would be happy at what happened to Arsenal this season but that is not true,” said Lauren in The Mirror.

"They are still a great club and Arsene Wenger is still a great coach. It is just a shame players such as myself and some of the others were not still at the club to help the young players to win things.

"Sometimes when you are making changes you have to be careful not to take away too much. I felt I was still able to contribute to the team.

"When you have experienced the highs and lows we went through and when you have competed against Chelsea and Manchester United in the past it helps you in difficult situations not to lose your head.

"If you look at Manchester United they have some great young players but they also have men who have been there for many years to help them through."