Merson believes his former club are going to finish in the mid-table once again under the Spanish tactician as the team has not improved from last season’s shambles.
The Gunners have tasted two defeats in their opening two games of the Premier League season against London rivals Brentford and Chelsea.
Arsenal were comprehensively beaten by Brentford in the opening day of the season and it followed by another 2-0 defeat at the hands of Thomas Tuchel’s side last Sunday.
Arteta admitted after the game that his men did not stand a chance against the champions of Europe and Merson has echoed what the Spaniard said in his latest column for Sky Sports.
“Arsenal are a million miles behind Chelsea. Games like that are not Arsenal's bread and butter, that was the Friday before, against Brentford. If Chelsea had gone to Arsenal and drawn that game, they would have come away devastated. It's a fact,” wrote the 53-year-old.
“These are worrying times for Arsenal, there is still a long way to go but if you weigh up the last two games you have to conclude that Arsenal are and are going to be a mid-table team. I mean, did you think Arsenal would finish in the top four before a ball was kicked?
He added: “It's all well and good saying get rid of Mikel Arteta or change the owners but, first of all, the club costs a fortune and, secondly, who is going to take that job on? There isn't a queue around the block to manage Arsenal because if you're a top manager with a good reputation you would be putting that on the line.”