William Gallas says Mikel Arteta is "not the right manager" for Arsenal and urged the club to replace him in the hot seat with Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.
Arteta is under increasing pressure just a year into his first managerial role following a dismal run of just one win in their last nine league fixtures.
Arsenal are currently just five points above the relegation zone in 15th position, and face a tricky test away at Everton next up on Saturday.
Defeat at Goodison Park would have the daggers out for Arteta, and Gallas feels Arsenal would be making a mistake if they continued with the Spaniard at the helm.
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes , Gallas said: "What's going on at Arsenal? It's a question I think everybody has asked this season. I don't know the answer.
"I think maybe the issue at the moment is that Mikel Arteta is not the right manager. For me he doesn't have that experience to manage a big club.
"I was surprised when he came in, to be honest - even as Pep Guardiola's assistant - you need experience as a manager to come in to a club like Arsenal.
"You need to know how to manage 24 players. All the pressure is on your shoulders and you make all the decisions.
"Some players will be upset that they aren't playing and it's something you need experience in dealing with."
Arteta was appointed as Unai Emery's successor after missing out on the job the first time round following Arsene Wenger's reign.
Despite landing the FA Cup at the end of last season, Arsenal have struggled to get going this campaign, with their lack of creativity under Arteta's brand of football a real issue.
Ex-Arsenal captain Vieira was a candidate to take charge when Emery was dismissed last November, and Gallas believes he would be an ideal appointment despite his recent sacking by French club Nice.
"If I was a player at Arsenal now, I think it all depends on whether you're a young player or a more experienced name. The young players will respect Arteta, but the players who have more experience, maybe not. And it will start from there," Gallas explained.
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"When they chose Mikel Arteta to come in and replace Unai Emery, in my mind Patrick Vieira was the name I thought they should have gone for.
"Patrick has more experience than Mikel, because he's managed in America and he spent time at Nice. So when the Arsenal board decided to pick a new manager I thought Patrick would get the call.
"He was captain of Arsenal and he knows the club very well. Patrick was the right guy then."
He added: "If they have to sack Mikel Arteta, they have to choose Patrick Vieira to replace him, and I'm sure all the fans would love it."
