Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has slammed the lack of character inside the Arsenal dressing room.

Ferdinand wrote for the London Evening Standard: "Arsenal are further away than ever from winning the Champions League and it's because they have never really replaced the great spine from a decade ago.

"There is no one in this side that can match players such as Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.

"Those were guys that had big personalities and were men when they went into the changing room.

"When people are not pulling their weight they need to be told in no uncertain terms to sort themselves out — that 'your performances and way you're applying yourself will affect me winning trophies'.

"In top teams, players won't accept that kind of attitude. I just don't know if there is that nastiness in the Arsenal changing room."