Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he feels Arsene Wenger is needed back at Arsenal but solely for the recruitment side of things.
The Gunners are struggling in a big way during Mikel Arteta’s first full season in charge in North London.
Ahead of this evening’s visit of Chelsea, Arsenal are 15th in the Premier League table and after scoring just 12 goals in their first 14 games, it’s difficult to see the Spaniard turning things around.
But Lawrenson has defended the rookie coach – who’s only been in senior management for 12 months – and believes that Arsenal’s recruitment has let them down.
Willian has incurred the wrath of Gunners fans this season, while Thomas Partey has barely kicked a ball since arriving in a £45 million deal from Atletico Madrid almost three months ago.
And Lawrenson has claimed that the Emirates Stadium side need their former manager back to oversee transfers.
He said: “Arsenal aren’t winning games but I would not point the finger at their manager, Mikel Arteta. I think their issues run far deeper that. Their recruitment has not been good enough – I know it probably wasn’t possible but I honestly think they need their former manager Arsene Wenger in charge of that side of things.
“I look at some of the Gunners players, and I don’t think they care enough. Are they particularly bothered if they keep losing games? I don’t get the impression that they are.”
Edu, Arsenal’s technical director, hasn’t done a stellar job as of right now. He has of course made some decent additions, but for the most part, the likes of Willian and David Luiz are just looking like a financial burden, even though the former was signed as a free agent.
You could level the same accusation at Wenger for giving Mesut Ozil – who hasn’t played since March – a £350,000-a-week deal three years ago, but the legendary Frenchman did sign a lot of top players for the club since 1996 – and for a cost-effective figure in a lot of cases.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
