Former Arsenal midfielder and scout Gilles Grimandi has taken aim at the club's football chief Raul Sanllehi.

The Gunners have lost their opening two games of the season restart.

Grimandi is laying the blame at the door of the club executive Sanllehi and the rest of the club's hierarchy for their poor transfer decisions.

"People didn't realise the influence and the choices that Arsene made, choices which were often wise," he told Canal+.

"We're not able to read the project that's in the hands of the directors and Sanllehi right now.

"There have been some debatable signings and it's not possible to totally see from the outside what they want to do.

"There are some positive points. I believe in Mikel Arteta, he's a person with a future.

"He's a competent lad and someone who's gained a certain amount of experience alongside Pep Guardiola.

"There is a lot of quality among the young players, but the directors have to take their responsibility and make much wiser choices."

Grimandi pointed specifically to the signing of William Saliba who arrived at the club for £27million in 2019 but has remained on loan at Saint-Etienne.

"For me that's a mistake because these are players who could have gained experience this season.

"And then you see they have to buy another player Pablo Mari at Christmas. There's a lot of incoherence in the choices.

"I think there is competence on the technical side and with the young players. Now those who are directing them have to take their responsibilities and make wiser choices.

"We know the financial consequences of not qualifying for the Champions League and the effect it has of being an attractive club."