Former Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas believes the current day Gunners are not too far off being a premiership contender.

Arsene Wenger's side currently sit third on the Premier League table, seven points behind league leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand.

While it looks unlikely that the north Londoners will haul in the Blues by season's end, Nicholas feels that perhaps they are just a couple of players away from being a genuine threat.

"I still think they're two players away from being the real deal but I think Wenger is getting close to identifying who those players are," he told Sky Sports.

"He's identified the actual areas that need addressing for the first time and that's what makes me a lot more confident that, finally, he's nailed down what the future of this club is.

"It's the defence and the protection of the defence that need attention - he recognises that now."