Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has revealed that he was "mind blown" after watching Arsenal's opening day defeat to Brentford on Friday.
Premier League new-boys Brentford hosted Arsenal in the 2021/22 season curtain raiser, and dominated the north London side as they ran out 2-0 winners in their league debut.
Arsenal were without both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette as both were 'unwell', and the Gunners were second best for the duration of the night, with worrying signs over the strength of their squad.
New £50million signing Ben White started in defence, but was overwhelmed with the rest of the squad by a spirited Brentford side.
Merson unleashed an honest rant following Arsenal's defeat, and was angry at the lack of leaders at his former club.
The Sky Sports pundit said: "There's not a lot of leaders around and it scared me last night. What I watched last night was mind blowing.
"When I got back and sat down, I couldn't believe what I had just watched."
Merson played for Arsenal between 1985-1997 after coming up through the academy, and won two league title's alongside classic leaders Tony Adams and Steve Bould but during his emotional outburst, he expressed that the former Arsenal doesn't exist anymore.
The 53-year-old said: "This is Arsenal, that's gone" and then proceeded to pick apart his former side even more, claiming that the players weren't even good enough to get into the Brentford squad.
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Merson went on: "If you had said to Brentford before the game you're going to play against one of the so called big teams tonight, who do you want to pick, they'd have hand picked Arsenal."
It was a worryingly flat performance by the Gunners, with Emile Smith-Rowe and Kieren Tierney the only stand-out performers until Bukayo Saka came on, and Merson tore apart the other members of the squad.
Merson said: I'm looking at all of the other players thinking, I'm not sure Brentford would even take you. If you gave Thomas Frank the choice, he'd stick with his squad."
Arsenal's first season without European football in 26 years got off to the worst possible start, and it won't be getting easier anytime soon.
The Gunners host Chelsea in their next Premier League fixture, before they travel to the Etihad to take on Champions Manchester City, and if their poor run continues they could potentially start September with no points.
Mikel Arteta is hoping to do some late business and bolster his side during the transfer window however, and a move for Martin Odegaard could be given the green light, following the £25million sale of Joe Willock to Newcastle.
Get your hands on your club's special edition 2021/22 annual. Find out more here.
