Paul Merson has labelled Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger "childish" and believes that his criticism of him was "weird".

Merson, who played under the 65-year-old, incurred the wrath of his former manager by branding Arsenal "tactically clueless" following their capitulation against Anderlecht last week.

Wenger laughed off those comments by citing Merson's managerial inexperience, with the Frenchman also adding that he was "not interested" in the 46-year-old.

"I think it's childish he's had a dig at me. Not interested in Paul Merson? He was begging me to stay when he offered me a new contract," the Sky Sports pundit told the Daily Star.

"I was surprised when I saw what he'd said about me. It shocked me. It's weird."

Arsenal sit sixth in the Premier League table after losing from another winning position in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Swansea City.