Paul Merson has criticised Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's failure to make a significant offer for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema during the summer transfer window.
The French forward was widely linked with a move to north London throughout the summer but the switch failed to materialise and he eventually stayed put in the Spanish capital.
Wenger's failure to add to his squad - aside from Petr Cech - has left the Gunners with just two options up front; Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.
Although the latter has enjoyed a rich vein of form in the early stages of the season Merson is adamant that Wenger should have been willing to break the bank for a player of Benzema's calibre.
"Why have Arsenal only signed a goalkeeper [Petr Cech] after they finished that many points behind Chelsea last season? They should have gone for Benzema.
"Wenger in the summer compared Olivier Giroud to Benzema, but the Real man would get more goals.
Wenger should have put in a bid for £70m. If he didn't want to come then so be it, but at least Wenger could have shown his ambition to the fans."
Merson also hit out at Wenger's reluctance to pay over the odds for players in an inflated transfer market, but fears that the club's lack of strikers will cost Arsenal a chance to win the Premier League title.
"Wenger sees what players are worth and doesn't want to pay more, but modern football is clubs demanding more than a player is worth. You don't get players for cheap anymore. Arsenal should have spent in the summer.
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"If one of the strikers gets injured, they're in trouble. Arsenal will not win the league with Theo Walcott up front as the main focal point. They need a bigger focal point."
Arsenal travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford on Saturday evening aiming to close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the table.
