Arsenal buy mediocre players

Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas, assesses Unai Emery's task is very hard this season, because the Gunners only buy mediocre players.

"So far in the transfer market, this is what Emery got, three bad players and three mediocre players. That's a reflection of where we will go, "Nicholas said to Soccerway.

Emery joined Arsenal at the start of this season. He was given the task to bring the Gunners back to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

To reach that target, the management of the Gunners gave him five new players at the start of the season namely Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichtsteiner. While in the January transfer market, Arsenal loaned in Denis Suarez from Barcelona.

"The player brought in by Arsenal under Emery is just mediocre. Leno has got a chance, but he plays behind a very bad back line. Torreira and Guendouzi, the two youngsters, are they standard players? Lichtsteiner? Not good enough, this team doesn't need him. Sokratis? The same thing is not good enough."

"Emery brought Suarez and did not bring in a defender. I don't think we are heading in the right direction now. That's the reality. Our players are of average standard."

The former Gunners striker added, "They have a manager that I like what he is trying to do and I feel for him. We need to give him at least two seasons to clarify whether he is going to be good enough or not.

"This controlled leadership, we have an owner in America who is interested but doesn’t want to be hands on.

"Last season, Arsene Wenger leaving, [Ivan] Gazidis turned around and said it was time for revolution at Arsenal, be prepared for change in everything. He leaves four months later. It’s a mess. There is no leadership, no guidance."

The Gunners are now ranked fifth in the Premier League standings. The Gunners are one point behind Manchester United in fourth place (Champions League deadline).