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Exits have weakened Arsenal - Bale

Gareth Bale says Tottenham exposed Arsenal's weaknesses on Sunday © PA Photos

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Tottenham winger Gareth Bale thinks the sale of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri has caused serious damage to Arsenal's hopes of finishing in the top four.

Spurs ran out 2-1 winners over Arsenal at White Hart Lane on Sunday to heap further misery on Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

After failing to hang on to Fabregas and Nasri, who this summer joined Barcelona and Manchester City respectively, Wenger has seen his new-look team struggle to gel and they now appear in freefall after losing four of their opening seven games - one of which was an 8-2 drubbing at Manchester United.

Arsenal now sit just two points above the relegation zone and their pain was only worsened by coming away from White Hart Lane with nothing despite controlling large parts of the encounter.

Tottenham, on the other hand, have now racked up four straight Premier League wins - thanks partly to the performance of Luka Modric, who they managed to hold on to despite strong interest from Chelsea.

Bale said: "Arsenal have lost a few players, which makes them more beatable I think as that has damaged the way they play. We exposed that.

"I think keeping your best players is a massive thing. They are used to how you play and what you do. It is vitally important to do that and build your team around them. It is important that we have [Modric], and Arsenal were unlucky not to keep theirs."

He added: "For us it's massive to beat the bigger teams, and especially our local rivals, which is important - not just for us but the fans."

Bale thinks Arsenal will improve, though, given time. He said: "They are still a great team. They haven't had the best of starts but I am sure they will improve.

"They have a lot of young players who are going to grow up in the next season or two and learn a lot. I am sure they will be fine."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.