Andy Cole accused Mikel Arteta of being 'disrespectful' to striker Alexandre Lacazette after he opted to start Willian up front in Arsenal's defeat by Manchester City.
The Gunners fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Etihad on Saturday thanks to Raheem Sterling's first half winner.
Arteta decided against using young striker Eddie Nketiah, who started their previous game, for the tie but instead of promoting Lacazette to the striker position he moved usual winger Willian to a central role.
And Cole, one of the Premier League's great frontmen, says playing a midfielder over a striker in that position is the ultimate insult.