Jack Wilshere is the only shining light in the worst Arsenal team I have ever seen... plus my team of the week

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I cannot remember a worse Arsenal team than this. They have no desire, no character and none of the blue chip players of years gone by. They are barely good enough to be in the top six, never mind the Champions League.

With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil missing, this was a glimpse of the future for the club — and it does not look good. This should have been a comfortable win for them. Last month Liverpool went to the Vitality Stadium and devoured Bournemouth 4-0.

There are no excuses. Arsenal simply lack quality in every department. Just look at that front three of Danny Welbeck, Alexandre Lacazette and Alex Iwobi. None of them would get in Arsenal’s hall of fame alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright and Robin van Persie.

I cannot remember a worse Arsenal team than this. They have no desire and no character

They should have earned a comfortable win at Bournemouth — instead they were beaten 2-1

The likes of Alexandre Lacazette are not a patch on great Gunners like Thierry Henry

There is no leadership in the back three of Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers. Laurent Koscielny aside, I cannot remember the last time Arsenal bought a top-class centre half.

In midfield, Granit Xhaka was found wanting for Bournemouth’s winner. A defensive midfielder’s job is to win second balls but Xhaka let Jordon Ibe run past him and score.

I cannot imagine he will have been called out in the dressing room afterwards by his team-mates. That is the problem with Arsenal — everything is too comfortable. We saw it at Watford earlier in the season and now at Bournemouth. Once Arsenal were pegged back there was only going to be one winner.

The one shining light in this performance was Jack Wilshere. Without him, Arsenal would be in even more of a mess. They have to get him signed up as quickly as possible.

Arsenal simply lack quality in every department and Arsene Wenger's legacy is crumbling

That contracts for key players like Alexis Sanchez are allowed to run down is unacceptable

How have they let their three best players enter the last year of their contracts at the same time? One, I understand - particularly in the case of Wilshere, who has been injured - but having two, let alone three, out of contract is unacceptable.

Someone in the club’s hierarchy must take responsibility. Arsenal have spent so much time sorting out Arsene Wenger’s contract that they have taken their eyes off the ball.

Supporters do not pay their money to watch Wenger. They want to see stunning strikes from Sanchez, Ozil’s wizardry and Wilshere working his magic in midfield. Ozil may sign but I do not blame Sanchez for wanting to leave. He looks fed up with the players around him for lacking the hunger he possesses.

Wilshere is showing he is in a different class to his team-mates. If he keeps up this form, I would not be surprised if Arsenal’s top-six rivals were on the phone to his agent.

One of the biggest clubs in Europe is in a desperately sorry state. Wenger is in danger of wrecking his legacy.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has improved immeasurably since swapping Arsenal for Liverpool

The Ox is thriving now he has left Arsenal 

If you need any further proof that players stand still when they are at Arsenal, you only need to look at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s dazzling performance for Liverpool against Manchester City.

No more than an hour after his former Arsenal team-mates lost limply at Bournemouth, the Ox had burst through the City defence to open the scoring. 

Oxlade-Chamberlain looks a different player since arriving at Anfield last summer. At Arsenal, it was all too easy for him. No-one was pushing him and it did not matter whether he was in or out of the team.

Now he looks fitter, stronger and is thriving in a clearly-defined midfield role. Once again, he looks like a fantastic talent. With the Ox and Jack Wilshere in fine form, England’s midfield options seem much rosier for the World Cup in Russia.

I always love returning to Bournemouth, where I started my career. Before the game, Alex Scott and I caught up with Jermain Defoe.

I met up with my old Tottenham team-mate in September for Sportsmail after he scored his first goal back at the club and I wish him a speedy recovery from his ankle injury. Fortunately for Bournemouth they got the job done without him!

Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp speaks to former team mate Jermain Defoe at Bournemouth

Winter has come too soon for Morata

It is no surprise that Alvaro Morata is struggling for form. Having played all his football in Spain and Italy, Morata is playing his first season without a winter break.

He is not as battle-hardened as Diego Costa, the man he replaced at Stamford Bridge, while Michy Batshuayi is not trusted.

At the next appropriate point — such as if Chelsea make the next round of the FA Cup — Morata should be given a week to go abroad and recharge. The club will reap the benefits. 

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is struggling for form during his first season in English football

Magic Marko is man of the moment 

I was in no doubt that Marko Arnautovic would eventually come good and now he has a manager in David Moyes who knows how to get the best from him.

Arnautovic has taken time to adjust to life in London since leaving Stoke and has been lacking in confidence in the opening months of the season.

Playing up front has stoked the fire in his belly and in the last four or five games Arnautovic has been as good as any forward in the Premier League.