Arsenal legend Ian Wright has claimed that the current squad can only perform when the pressure is off.
The Gunners hammered Liverpool 4-1 on Saturday to move up to second in the Premier League.
However, Arsene Wenger's men trail leaders Chelsea by seven points, and the former striker thinks that the current side can only display their best football when little is riding on the outcome of games.
He told BT Sport: "The pressure is off them because they are nowhere near [winning the league] and I feel the players react better when the pressure is not on.
"I think you'll find that when Arsenal players are put under pressure they do not perform, like we saw with Monaco [at home in the Champions League].
"But now, I feel that when you look back at the start of the season they had and they lost certain games and drew certain games, they will realise how important it is to start the season well – and that is what could cost them."
Wenger's men travel to Burnley on Saturday.
Paul Gorst
