Jack Wilshere says Arsenal are 'too easy to play through' after defeat at London Stadium
Saturday 12 January 2019 18:18, UK
Arsenal's squad is in desperate need of reinforcements as it is not good enough to finish anywhere near the top four, says Jamie Redknapp.
Declan Rice's first West Ham goal earned the Hammers a 1-0 victory at the London Stadium on Saturday, as the Gunners slipped to back-to-back away defeats for the first time this season.
The defeat came just days after Unai Emery revealed Arsenal would only be active in the loan market in January, a revelation Redknapp believes shows the Gunners are not matching the ambition of other top Premier League clubs.
"You can play whatever system you want but I'm not sure this Arsenal squad is good enough to get anywhere near the top four right now," Redknapp told Sky Sports.
"I feel sorry for the fans. The manager said they are only going to get loans in, but other clubs at the top are always trying to progress. Arsenal is a huge club and the fans deserve better.
"With the players he's got, Emery is going to need time and windows to bring players in. He was not left with a great squad.
"I'm not surprised they are struggling away from home because you need good players as well as being organised, and players that can do something different. At the moment the system just doesn't seem to work."
West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere, who joined Redknapp in the Sky Sports studio, expressed his surprise at his former club's reluctance to make a permanent signing in January, but refused to be drawn further on Arsenal's transfer dealings.
Wilshere did, however, offer some advice for the Gunners after their away-day Achilles was exposed at the London Stadium.
Asked if he was surprised by Emery's comments, Wilshere said: "Yes, but it's not really for me to comment on the club and what they are going to do.
"The most important thing when you go away from home is to be hard to beat. When you watch Arsenal play at home they are brilliant to watch.
"You have to be hard to beat and not easy to play through. Sometimes you can play through Arsenal a little too easy."
