Arsene Wenger has 'brainwashed' Arsenal fans, says Jamie Redknapp

'They deserve better'

(Getty)

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp says that Arsenal fans have been "brainwashed" by manager Arsene Wenger and that they "deserve better".

After a poor 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Sunday, Arsenal are in fourth place in a season where they had led the Premier League for a number of weeks as usual contenders Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City struggled.

Redknapp, who also played for Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and England, was scathing in his criticism for the French manager, who has now failed to win the League for a 12th consecutive season.

"It's like groundhog day," the pundit said on Sky Sports. "It looks like they're going to limp into the top four again and that, for me, is boring. They deserve better than that.

"You can't keep doing that and be brainwashed into thinking fourth is good enough. They should be doing more. They should be looking to win the title.

"I know you can say Chelsea and Manchester United are still behind them but this was their big chance and unfortunately, they've blown it."

Wenger was criticised last summer when he was the only manager in Europe's top five leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France) not to buy an outfield player during the transfer window.

Petr Cech was bought from Chelsea, and has performed well, but it was clear to many that Arsenal needed another defender and a star striker.

"They need to defend better, they need a killer striker and they are all elements that, for me, Arsenal keep getting wrong year after year," Redknapp added. "This was their time to win it, and they'll never get a better one. It looks to me like Tottenham are going ahead of them and they need some players in the window."