Arsenal should sign six new players to 'repair' the 'broken' club in summer says Charlie Nicholas

Former Arsenal forward Charlie Nicholas has ruled out Arsene Wenger's side's chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season. He says the Gunners need six new players in the summer transfer window to "repair" the club.

The north London club suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the derby clash at White Hart Lane on 30 April. The Gunners' latest loss means their local rivals will finish above them in the league for the first time in 22 years.

Arsenal are currently sixth in the table with 60 points after 33 games. They are six points behind fourth place Manchester City with an advantage of a game in hand. Nicholas claims it is not the team, but the club that is "broken."

"It is an absolute mess. It is not the team that is broken, it is the club that is broken. There is no leadership from anywhere and it is painful for me to see. This club is a mess," Nicholas told talkSPORT.

"We are not going to be in the Champion League so what are we actually facing now? I think Arsenal are facing five or six [new] players just to repair, not to even get close [to the title] again."

Wenger's contract at the Emirates expires after the end of the season and the Frenchman has refused to reveal details over his future beyond this campaign. Nicholas has raised concerns over the club's short and long-term future after suggesting Tottenham are way ahead of Arsenal.

"Arsene Wenger, I don't know what he is waiting on to clarify [his future]. Please come out and tell us what is going on at the football club," the ex-Scotland international stressed.

"Spurs are a far better team than Arsenal at the moment," he said. "It is painful for me to say that. It was embarrassing. Spurs are now playing like Arsenal at their best.

"Pochettino is now the boss of this north London area. It is painful to watch. There is a big gap between these teams. Arsenal badly need fixing. Spurs are better than Arsenal currently."