Jamie Redknapp says he fears for Arsenal’s future, and believes even Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp would struggle with the Gunners’ current squad.
Mikel Arteta’s side picked up their first win since the Premier League’s return on Thursday as they beat Southampton, following back-to-back defeats at Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Those losses have all-but ended their hopes gaining Champions League football for next season, while the Europa League could also prove to be a big ask.
The Gunners currently sit ninth in the table, behind the likes of Manchester United, Wolves, Tottenham and Sheffield United, while Crystal Palace and Burnley sit just a point behind them.
And Redknapp feels their position is a reflection on the current squad’s standing among their rivals at the moment.
“No matter who the manager is, anyone I think would struggle with that group of players,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
“They’ve bought too many average players and now they’re an average team.
“We’re talking about a huge club here, they shouldn’t be where they are in the Premier League with some of the clubs that are ahead of them.
“Their best player Aubameyang is out of contract next season. They’ve just signed David Luiz on a new contract, which I think has baffled everybody after the performance he produced against Man City. Even if they were going to do it, at least give it a while.
“I think the way the club’s been run, on and off the field, is not something I associate with a club that I have so much respect for after watching them for so many years, playing against them in all the glory years with the Invincibles and previously, it’s a club that’s normally so well run.
“I fear for them right now, I really do. I think they’re a complete mess and they don’t deserve to be.
“The manager, whoever it is, give Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp that group of players, and they would struggle.
Redknapp added: “They are where they are because they haven’t got good enough players.
“They keep signing poor players defensively, I said to Sol (Campbell) a minute ago, how many great defenders have they signed in a while? We came up with Vermaelen, Koscielny did okay.
“Apart from that, they’re not good enough.”
