Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams has claimed that the club's "very poor" recruitment in recent years has made managing the Gunners a very difficult task for Unai Emery.

Saturday's 2-0 loss at Leicester City means that Arsenal are now eight points off fourth-placed Manchester City, who go to leaders Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Emery's position at the helm continues to be called into question, but Adams has insisted that a lack of "characters" has made the Spaniard's job incredibly tough.

"I think it is easier to blame the manager. I don't think he is doing himself any favours at the moment, with the captaincy situation, for instance," Adams told Sky Sports News.

"Today, he got them organised but they just sat back and dropped so deep. The recruitment has been very poor for some years now. You have got to have characters in there. There aren't any in the squad. It is difficult for him, he hasn't got the players. The manager must be pulling his hair out.

"We came here expecting a good hiding and they got one. I don't think those players go out on the pitch and believe they will keep a clean sheet and it is infectious."

Arsenal, who have only won four of their 12 Premier League matches this season, are next in action at home to struggling Southampton on November 23.