Paul Merson believes not even Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could improve the current Arsenal side who remain "a million miles" away from challenging for the Premier League title.
Arsenal replaced Unai Emery with former City assistant manager Mikel Arteta in December and the Spaniard has endured a difficult spell in charge thus far.
The Gunners remain well adrift of the league leaders, currently sitting in 9th place with 40 points - eight behind Chelsea in fourth.
Merson is not convinced that Arteta has got the London side back on the right track and believes even a manager as successful as Guardiola would struggle to improve their fortunes.
"Even if Pep Guardiola was in charge, no," he told Sky Sports when assessing Arsenal's chances of challenging for major honours.
"Arsene Wenger used to say all the time that it’s all about the players. Arsenal’s players – it’s not a good enough team, it’s not a good enough squad.
"I like Arteta, I really do. I think he’ll do better than the last manager. But at the same time, to go and challenge for the title, I think they are a million miles off. They can’t defend."
Arteta has presided over 15 games in charge of his former club, winning just eight, drawing five and losing twice.
Merson was brutal in his assessment of the Spaniard, believing he isn't the right man to return the club to its former glories.
He added: "I’m going to go no, if I’m being honest.
“I don’t know any team that has ever won anything that can’t defend. If you can’t defend, you aren’t going to win anything.
"You can’t keep scoring three goals every game to try and nick a point or just win a game. Until he tightens that up, they are going to be a million miles off.
"I think this is going to be a slow, slow journey back for Arsenal."
