Arsenal great Paul Merson says he isn't impressed with the Gunners' January additions of defenders Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares, saying that their arrivals prove the Gunners' place in the transfer pecking order.
The duo both arrived on loan deals in the closing few days of the transfer window.
Mari, 26, signed from Brazilian side Flamengo on loan until the end of the season, with the former Manchester City centre-back lined up for a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Cedric, 28, has joined from Southampton on loan, and could make his switch permanent when his Saints contract expires at the end of this season.
But Merson isn't impressed with either arrival, and addressed the signing of Mari first when talking to Sky Sports.
“Arteta worked with him at Man City and will have gone to Arsenal, worked with the defenders at Arsenal and weighed it up and thought ‘he’s played in the second division in Spain but he’s probably better than what I’ve got here’," he said.
“The main thing is, he’s seen what he needs at the back. He has come in and brought two defenders in. Will they make a difference? We will have to wait and see.
“The shame for me is that it just shows where Arsenal are. They are struggling.
“They aren’t the big fish anymore where they can go and get £50m or £60m players. They are going for players that no-one else is really after. It wasn’t like they were in a bidding war.
“The lad from Southampton, I didn’t even know he was available and if there was anyone else after him.”
The fitness of both Mari and Cedric is being assessed ahead of Sunday's trip to Burnley.
