Smith would like to see a defensive midfielder and striker brought into the club.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has said the club didn’t need to buy a midfielder of the mould of Cesc Fabregas, but needed a defensive midfielder, and has said he would love to see Arsenal sign a new striker.
One holding midfielder in Mikel Arteta ended up picking up an injury during last night’s Champions League play-off with Besiktas in Istanbul last night, someone Smith isn’t convinced can play the role well when fit, and has suggested it could be a problem position for the side this season.
He told TalkSport: “As a holding midfielder, I don’t think he [Arteta] has got the legs anymore and I don’t think he is naturally that kind of player.
“Fabregas isn’t that type of player either, so I can understand why Wenger turned down the chance to bring him back. He has got a lot of players in that position of that type.
“As for the holding midfield position, I thought Wenger might have gone out and got somebody. Whether he is waiting for Abou Diaby to finally come good, I don’t know, but it could be a problem over the season for Arsenal.”
Some have been critical of Olivier Giroud’s performances up front for Arsenal and last night was no exception as he failed to capitalise on a number of chances to grab a vital goal for the Gunners ahead of the second leg.
Smith added: “I’d love to see him [Wenger] sign a striker, I really would.
“I think it would improve Arsenal no end, if they could get a top-quality one, but they are hard to come by and it doesn’t sound now like he is after one or he is going to get one.”
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