Didi Hamann delivers scathing verdict on three Arsenal signings and insists they are no better than last season

Former Liverpool star Didi Hamann took aim at Arsenal after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

The Gunners’ season is at risk of unravelling with a defeat to Aston Villa saw their Premier League title charge take a dent and their European exit was equally disappointing.

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This was a Bayern team who have underperformed for most of the season, losing their Bundesliga crown for more than a decade.

Hamann believes that Arsenal have not improved from last season and argues that signings David Raya, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz have not made the impact people think they have.

Hamann told talkSPORT: “You have to question if this team, and I know it is a very young team, is capable of winning a big title.

“I think they’ve got a very good defence, but I’m not sure about the ‘keeper. I don’t think you win a big title with a goalkeeper who doesn’t fill me with confidence.

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“It was his mistake coming 40 yards off his line in the first leg, it changed the whole tie. Then obviously they brought Rice and Havertz in, I don’t think they’ve improved from last season.

“Xhaka went to Leverkusen and is having a brilliant season. I look at Declan Rice and people tell me he is the best central midfielder in Europe, but I’m yet to see it.”

On Havertz, he said: “Well I certainly don’t think he’s a centre-forward. I think he’s best when he’s coming from behind and making these late runs.

“When you play without a centre-forward, and he clearly isn’t, if everybody comes towards the ball it gets very congested and even more so when a team sits back like Bayern Munich did.

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“You see with Haaland, even though sometimes he doesn’t do an awful lot when the team has the ball, he always occupies two defenders and that creates space for someone else.

“Arsenal haven’t got that. When you get to a stage with 10 or 15 minutes to go and you are throwing balls into the box then there’s no one there to head it. His best position I think is an offensive midfielder.

“To play without a centre forward I think you have to be an outstanding side. Arsenal is certainly not that good.”