Former Arsenal winger, Robert Pires, has urged manager Unai Emery, to bring in more English players.
The Gunners are eight points off Champions League places after 12 fixtures, with only four wins on their record to date, leaving Emery under pressure.
The Spaniard has also faced plenty of criticism for his tactics and selection policy.
Pires, who won two league titles during his time with Arsenal, told The Athletic: “The team needs so many ingredients in the squad. Physical, technical, some players with intelligence. Of course, we need leadership – and we need English players.
“We need English players because we are in England and nobody else has grown up with this mentality.
“You need to be born here. It’s very nice when you get to discover new countries but for me when you play in England you need English players.
“It’s a different time. But I used to play with David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Ashley Cole, Ray Parlour… We’re talking about six English players in the team. We need similar players.
“Of course I respect the Arsenal philosophy but we are in the Premier League and it’s so tough every weekend.”
