Graham: Arteta needs to spend £200m-plus – and fast

Arsenal great, George Graham has said manager Mikel Arteta needs to spend £200m to get things right.

Graham, who managed Arsenal between 1986 and 1994, is also a huge admirer of Arteta.

But he told the Daily Express: “They have got problems, but they can rectify them with three players.

“Arteta is doing a very good job. But while he has improved the players, he has only improved them to a certain point.

“They have got to have natural ability to get to the next level.

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“Arsenal have outstanding young players, but they need help. Quality players around them to show them the way.

“They need to go out and buy two or three players, each costing £75m to £100m.”

Arsenal spent £75m on Nicolas Pepe and £45m on Thomas Partey and Graham is yet to be convinced by either of them.

However, the bigger problems, he feels, are at either end of the pitch.

“Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has made a point since he came into the club but not many others have enjoyed the same success,” Graham says

“Alexandre Lacazette will get you a few goals here and there, but if you want top quality you want an Ian Wright or a Thierry Henry. Arsenal needs outstanding strikers.

“Then at the back they have just got to get rid of these stupid mistakes. If individuals keep making these mistakes, eventually you have to think, ‘maybe they are not good enough.

It is a Scottish thing, but anything you build you start with the foundation and that is why I started at the back.

“Mikel Arteta will know the players he needs. If he buys intelligent players, he will make them into top class defenders.

“Arsenal had waited 18 years before I won my first title in 1989. It’s been 17 years now.

“The sooner that money is spent, the better.”