Merson, who played more than 300 games for Arsenal during his career, made the extraordinary claim while appearing on Sky One show, A League Of Their Own, leaving Gunners fans bemused.

"People say he's a wheeler-dealer and it's so disrespectful,” the 49-year-old said of Redknapp.

"Tactically, he's one of the best I've worked with.

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson engraged fans of his old club with his comments

“If Arsene Wenger had Harry Redknapp's tactical nous, Arsenal would win the league."

The Sky Sports pundit played under Redknapp during a stint in the Championship with Portsmouth – the duo secured promotion to the Premier League after beating the odds to finish top of the table.

“We won our first game at home and I thought we'd be alright and then went to Crystal Palace,” Merson explained

“We were 2-0 down at half-time and it could've been 10-0. I thought 'what have I done coming here – this is going to be embarrassing'.

"Harry came in at half-time and took three men off, put three at the back, five in midfield with three rolling attackers and we won 3-2.

Merson claimed Arsenal would have won the league by now with Redknapp in charge

"That's when I knew he was a great manager."

Redknapp is currently unemployed after a disastrous start to the season with Birmingham saw him leave the Championship club following six straight defeats.

And Arsenal fans weren’t buying it as social media lit up with furious fans condemning their former star’s bizarre statement.

“Harry Redknapp has never won the league. Wenger has won it three times. Merson comes out with some rubbish,” said one supporter.

Another wrote: “Yeah that’s why Harry Redknapp is now out of a job. Paul Merson is a joke.”