This is the worst Arsenal team I've ever seen, says ex-Gunners captain

Frank McLintock has claimed this is the worst Arsenal team he has EVER seen.

And the man who captained the Gunners to the historic 1971 League and FA Cup double reckons Arsene Wenger's side lacks leadership, urgency and confidence - as well as the star names they have sold this summer.

Arsenal, down in 13th place after failing to win away this season, travel to Tottenham on Sunday as derby-day underdogs for once.

A victory at White Hart Lane would see them climb above their North London rivals but McLintock, a 1971 Double winner with the Gunners, admits he is "frightened" by the state of the team following the summer sales of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.

"I think they're poorer this year than they ever have been," said the Scot. "I think it's going to be the toughest season that Wenger's ever had at Arsenal.

"This team has four new players in it with some injuries as well. You are missing Nasri and Fabregas.

"Taking a long-term view, are they going to do as well as last year and the years before? And I honestly don't think they will.

"I'm just getting frightened. The idea of finishing fourth would be an unbelievable achievement, if they can do it, but you took that as automatic in the last five or six years.

"After watching Arsenal over the last few years they've always needed three really top players to become one of the best teams in the world. But they seem to have gone away in the last six months from the players we had, from the squad we had compared to now."

McLintock was at the Emirates to watch Arsenal take an early two-goal lead against Olympiacos - and then hold on for a 2-1 win.

"It was too close for comfort," he told talkSPORT. "They hit the bar in the second half as well with a great shot so it could have been a draw easily.

"There's some part of Wenger that doesn't seem to address certain faults that we've had over the last five years.

"The defence lacks confidence. I panic at the moment. We've let in more goals from dead-ball situations than any other Premier League team. So you would think that somebody up there would say, 'OK, let's sort this out and that will improve us by maybe 20-30%', but for some reason it doesn't seem to happen.

"There doesn't seem to be any leadership or urgency. I think that is the word. I always look when Arsenal get a corner against them and they all just amble back and pick up a spot.

"When I was playing, we would be saying: Pick him up, get in front of him, tighten up on him. And everyone would be galvanised and ready for the challenge of that ball coming in. But we don't seem to have any of that urgency about us.

"I am getting so frustrated already and the season has only had about four games gone. I feel very, very frustrated with the players' attitude. The confidence looks very shallow.

"They can start to look quite good, like they did last year and the years before and very quickly they can lose it all in a few minutes."

And McLintock fears a former Arsenal striker - and a midfielder they should have signed but instead allowed to join their greatest rivals - could hurt the Gunners on Sunday.

"Tottenham look good this season," said the 71-year-old. "Emmanuel Adebayor looks great and Scott Parker - I was hoping Arsenal would go in for him - is also a terrific player.

"If Adebayor gets his head right, he is a dangerous player and he will be looking to put one over on Arsenal. It is going to be a very tough game for Arsenal.

"I think it is going to be a tough season for them."