Arsenal's performance in their 4-0 defeat by Liverpool was 'totally unacceptable'... I need to apologise to the fans, claims Nigel Winterburn

• e-mail

Nigel Winterburn has apologised to Arsenal supporters for his former side's 'totally unacceptable' display against Liverpool.

Arsene Wenger's side were beaten 4-0 at Anfield on Sunday, in a display their manager himself labelled 'shocking'.

Winterburn, who made 584 appearances for the Gunners and won three league titles during a 13-year stay in North London, slammed the club's current crop and said he 'couldn't believe what he saw'.

Arsenal's 4-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield was 'totally unacceptable', says Nigel Winterburn

Arsene Wenger said their display was 'shocking' after they failed to register a shot on target

After Roberto Firmino's opener, Sadio Mane curled in Liverpool's second just before half-time

'Firstly, being associated with the club, I need to apologise to the supporters,' he told TalkSport.

'I was there yesterday and I really did feel for them. People know I work for the club but this morning I am a little bit lost for words.

'I cannot believe what I saw yesterday. It was totally unacceptable for an Arsenal team.

'Usually I look and try and be constructive and you try and relate back to situations when you have been put in that position yourself, but every component of the team broke down very, very quickly.'

Roberto Firmino put Liverpool in front after only 17 minutes before a goal from Sadio Mane saw them deservedly head into the break leading 2-0. Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge piled on the misery for Wenger's side after the break.

Arsenal failed to register a single shot on target for the first time in the league since October 2014 and Winterburn said their inability to cope with Liverpool was 'very, very disappointing'.

Liverpool's club-record signing Mohamed Salah also got on the scoresheet after the break

Nigel Winterburn, who made 584 appearances for the Gunners, apologised to the club's fans

'Once Liverpool created that first chance after about 10, maybe 15 minutes, we just seemed to panic and we were just waiting for a goal to come,' he said.

'The pressure was building, the midfield was so open. We just couldn't cope with any aspect of Liverpool's game and that was very, very disappointing.

'I'm sure Arsene Wenger and his backroom staff would have worked with the team throughout the week about how they wanted to play but it just seemed to collapse very, very quickly.'