Harry Redknapp: Toothless Arsenal draw with Liverpool shows they need three more players to win title

Harry Redknapp has told Arsene Wenger to sign three new players before the end of the transfer window, or else he can forget about fighting Chelsea and Manchester City for the Premier League title. The former Spurs boss said he previously believe the Gunners had a chance of challenging for the league, but says their poor performance in the goalless draw against Liverpool on Monday (24 August) has proven him wrong.

The Gunners responded to the home defeat against West Ham in their Premier League opener with a victory a Crystal Palace, but were held by Liverpool. And Redknapp believes it could have even been worse for the North London side after Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista failed to cope with the absence of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker during the first half.

"I was wrong, this Arsenal side cannot win the league. The two centre-halves had a horrendous first-half against Liverpool last night and it sent shivers right through the side. After 10 minutes the confidence seemed to drain out of them for the rest of the first-half – they looked so nervous at the back it was unbelievable. I know Arsenal had a good goal disallowed but Benteke should have buried that chance he had in the first-half all day long," Redknapp wrote on Kicca.

Redknapp added that the game against the Merseysiders proved that Wenger needs to sign a new centre-back, in addition to a striker and holding midfielder, should Arsenal want to win the title.

"If Arsenal get one or two injuries that back four looks vulnerable. Koscielny does seem to pick up a few knocks and I reckon they probably need three players if they're going to mount a challenge this year. They need another central defender, I still think they need another midfielder and they need a centre forward," he added.

"You need a big squad to play in both the Champions League and Premier League and if they get a few knocks who is going to play at the back alongside Mertesacker? Where do you find a top centre-half? It's not easy."

Redknapp believes that Arsenal still have time to overcome the situation in the final days of the transfer window. However, as thing stands, he says Chelsea and Manchester City are the main favourites to conquer the title this season.

"I fancied Arsenal before the start of the season but now, going on what I've seen I'd revise that – there are only two runners this season, Manchester City and Chelsea and you'd have to fancy Man City so far," Redknapp wrote.

"[Arsenal] will finish in the top four but I cannot see them winning the title. Looking at them yesterday I cannot see them doing enough to win. There are too many question marks – is Giroud going to get the goals? Welbeck will make a difference when he comes back. But you look at them defensively and it wouldn't compare with City's back four and Chelsea's."