Television pundits including Arsenal legend Thierry Henry rounded on Arsene Wenger's men after they stumbled to a 3-1 home defeat against Monaco in their Champions League last-16 tie at Emirates Stadium.
Geoffrey Kondogbia, Dimitar Berbatov and substitute Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco got the goals that meant Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's breakthrough provided little cheer for the home supporters.
The loss means Wenger's team face an uphill task if they are to reach the quarterfinals of the competition, needing to score at least three goals in the away leg.
Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville said: "It shows where we are in the Premier League. They [Monaco] are not a great side, I have to say. A top side would take these apart."
Arsene Wenger's most disappointing night in Europe as @Arsenal manager, says Jamie Redknapp: http://t.co/jtrlVNRpNg pic.twitter.com/N6Sh2ss0I8
- Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 26, 2015
Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp added: "This is Arsene Wenger's most disappointing performance in Europe, ever. It looked like Arsenal were almost thrown together -- there was no responsibility.
"They had no one who could win the ball back at the end. It was so inept. Four of five of their [Monaco's] best players weren't playing. But Arsenal were off the cuff today.
"They've stumbled across playing [Francis] Coquelin in midfield and took him off tonight -- granted, he was booked -- but [Santi] Cazorla, [Tomas] Rosicky came on, [as well as Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain. They couldn't tackle a hot dinner. It all came home to roost tonight."
Former Scotland international midfielder Graeme Souness, who has managed eight teams around Europe, said on Sky Sports: "Arsenal were miserable tonight. They were so disorganised. A dream to play against -- zero threat apart from the opening 10 minutes.
"They try to play the ultimate football, all neat and tidy on the ball and creative, but all successful teams have a contrast of midfield players. They are too easy to play against -- I keep saying it. That was a perfect example. For me, an average team has blown Arsenal away today.
"This is the first time I've been to the Emirates and not enjoyed something about Arsenal's play. Nothing excited me or got me on the edge of my seat. That's a miserable night for an Arsenal fan."
Arsenal's leading goal-scorer Thierry Henry, currently working with the club's youth players as a coach, said in his role as a Sky pundit that the team lacked zip in their play.
"They can [go through] but it will be very difficult," he said. "The players got frustrated. The passing wasn't very good. There was no real pace on the pass, no kind of sense or urgency to win the game."
Jamie Carragher was also less than impressed with what he saw and feels Arsenal have an attitude problem.
Arsenal frustrate me so much & I'm not even a fan!
- Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 25, 2015
He tweeted: "Arsenal frustrate me so much & I'm not even a fan! When Berbatov says he wanted it more you got problems!"