Rio Ferdinand slams "powder puff" Arsenal

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has blasted Arsenal's "powder puff" performance in their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Dean Smith's side went ahead in the opening two minutes after a defensive error from Cedric Soares, with Ollie Watkins poking home for the game's only goal.

Arsenal's attack was nullified thanks to an impressive performance from Villa's rearguard, and Ferdinand claims that Mikel Arteta's forwards just did not turn up on the day.

Speaking to BT Sport, Ferdinand said: "Powder puff today. They started off on the worst possible footing, mistake, lack of concentration and they definitely didn't recover for the rest of the first half.

"Second half they were much improved but without that cutting edge. They didn't have that cutting edge. The attacking players that have been doing really well for them in recent weeks, today they just didn't turn up."

Having also been put to the sword by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the past week, Arsenal boss Arteta has now conceded that his side are not realistically capable of challenging for the Champions League places.