Arsenal legend Frank McLintock is upset the board is failing to shop at the top end of the market.
McLintock, who made 412 appearances for the Gunners and led them to the league and FA Cup Double in 1971, says owner Stan Kroenke and shareholder Alisher Usmanov should have bankrolled the purchase of world-class players, just as Manchester City's owners are doing.
"We've got the two billionaires on the board and I can't understand why they couldn't just put in some money, buy some players in preparation so we're not scrambling around at the last minute. It's so disappointing," he said.
"We have brought in £70million in transfers from players leaving the club and yet we seem to be after the second-best players nearly all of the time.
"It's a reaction rather than being already prepared. I would have certainly bought two centre-halves - Gary Cahill as well as Mertesacker."
