Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes Arsenal are showing a steelier side to their games this season.
The Gunners have been accused of lacking a fighting spirit over the years, but recent acquisitions such as goalkeeper Petr Cech, defender Shkodran Mustafi and midfielder Granit Xhaka have strengthened the club, according to former England and Liverpool captain Gerrard.
"There's been areas of the Arsenal team that are not good enough, [but] I think Arsene Wenger has bought well," Gerrard told BT Sport.
"I think looking at the strongest XI now on paper they look tougher, certainly through the spine.
"They've bought a couple of big defenders, and I think now Petr Cech being there for a couple of years.
"He's huge, especially when you go into the latter stages of this competition, you need a strong back five."