Jamie Carragher identifies when things started to go wrong at Arsenal

Jamie Carragher thinks the decline of Arsenal began when they failed to qualify for the Champions League two years ago.

The Gunners finished with a point and a place outside the top four, missing a spot among the European elite in the next campaign.

Since then, Arsenal has not found its place at the top of the list. Arsene Wenger resigned after more than two decades in North London.

Unai Emery has been instructed to direct their charge as he seeks to transform their fortune.

However, legend Liverpool, Carragher, believes that the Spanish "has inherited a disaster" in the UAE and that their problems are much deeper.

He wrote in the Telegraph: "Constant qualifications for the Champions League have obviously allowed the hierarchy to bluff each season, by collecting the product of European qualifications.

"The club's first serious setback for 20 years – its inability to qualify for the Champions League in 2017 – triggered a series of decisions showing its poor judgment.

"Emery has a mess to clean up, and worse yet, there is no money available to start this long process."

Arsenal will face Chelsea Saturday at six points from rivals, who occupy the last place in the Champions League.

Carragher added, "Unless you defeat Chelsea, the top four players go beyond."