Chris Sutton has praised Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka for “showing fight” as Arsenal lost 2-1 against Everton on Saturday.
Arsenal have suffered their worst start to a season since 1974 with just 14 points from as many games and they are seven points worse off than when they sacked Unai Emery last year.
They have scored just 12 league goals and that situation was not helped by the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Goodison Park.
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And despite praising Tierney and Saka, Sutton has picked out Aubameyang and Arsenal team-mate Willian for criticism.
Sutton wrote in the Daily Mail: “Arsenal aren’t above a race against relegation.
“Right now, they’re banking on three teams being worse than them. Mikel Arteta is very lucky the fans aren’t there because they’d be letting their feelings known.
“It started so well with that FA Cup victory. Now, Arsenal’s priority is staying in the Premier League rather than qualifying for Europe.
“To think how many moaners there were about Arsene Wenger perennially finishing inside the top four. Offer that now and they’d snap your hand off.
“Willian joined in the summer but may as well be playing in his slippers. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang decided to take a holiday after signing his bumper new deal.
“At least Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka are showing fight, but Arsenal are in trouble. They have too many talented players to drop to the Championship. The upcoming games against Brighton and West Bromwich could be six-pointers!”