Cape Town - Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker believes Arsenal have more catching up to do with the Premier League's top clubs than manager Arsene Wenger thinks.
Wenger recently stated that the Gunners have a squad that is already very close to challenging for the league title, and that he only needs to add one or two players.
However, the comments came after Arsenal finished the season outside the top four for the first time in Wenger's 21-year reign, and Lineker believes the Frenchman is deluding himself.
"Arsenal have got a long way to go at the moment. If you ask me now whether Arsenal are going to be in the top four next season, I would say most probably not," Lineker told the BBC.
"They are further behind than Wenger thinks."
Wenger looks set for another two years in charge at the Emirates Stadium, after talks with the club on Tuesday.
Shifting his attention to Wenger's future at the club, Lineker added: "The only other example of a manager that decides when and where he goes is Sir Alex Ferguson, but he was still winning league titles.
"Arsene Wenger was still winning FA Cups and until this season he had always got in the top four, but now that's changed."