Didi Hamann unconvinced by two key Mikel Arteta signings for Arsenal

Didi Hamann has major doubts over Arsenal (Pictures: Getty)

Didi Hamann says he remains unconvinced by key Arsenal stars Declan Rice and David Raya after the Gunners were knocked out of the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta’s side produced a cagey and uninspiring performance at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night and were duly knocked out of Europe by Bayern Munich.

Hamann believes it is tough to imagine this iteration of Arsenal winning ‘big titles’ and has revealed he is ‘not sure’ about influential midfielder Rice and No. 1 goalkeeper Raya.

Rice completed a £105m move to Arsenal from West Ham last summer and has been largely praised for his performances in north London.

But Hamann does not see what all the hype is about and is also ‘unsure’ about Raya, who replaced Aaron Ramsdale as Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper following his loan move from Brentford.

‘You have to question if this team, and I know it is a very young team, is capable of winning a big title,’ Hamann, a Champions League winner with Liverpool and a two-time Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich, told talkSPORT.

‘I think they’ve got a very good defence, but I’m not sure about the ‘keeper. I don’t think you win a big title with a goalkeeper who doesn’t fill me with confidence.

Declan Rice has been largely praised for his performances this season (Picture: Getty)

‘It was his mistake coming 40 yards off his line in the first leg, it changed the whole tie. Then obviously they brought Rice and Havertz in, I don’t think they’ve improved from last season.

‘Xhaka went to Leverkusen and is having a brilliant season. I look at Declan Rice and people tell me he is the best central midfielder in Europe, but I’m yet to see it.’

Hamann has also discussed his compatriot Kai Havertz’s status at Arsenal, suggesting he should not be played up front, as has often been the case this season.

‘Well I certainly don’t think he’s a centre-forward,’ Hamann added. ‘I think he’s best when he’s coming from behind and making these late runs.

‘When you play without a centre-forward, and he clearly isn’t, if everybody comes towards the ball it gets very congested and even more so when a team sits back like Bayern Munich did.

‘You see with Haaland, even though sometimes he doesn’t do an awful lot when the team has the ball, he always occupies two defenders and that creates space for someone else.

‘Arsenal haven’t got that. When you get to a stage with 10 or 15 minutes to go and you are throwing balls into the box then there’s no one there to head it. His best position I think is an offensive midfielder.

‘To play without a centre forward I think you have to be an outstanding side. Arsenal is certainly not that good.’

Arsenal, who also lost to Aston Villa before their Champions League exit, will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they visit Wolves.

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