Graeme Souness believes Arsenal require their big-name players to really have an impact if they are to win the title this season.

The Gunners, as always, have faltered in games they have been expected to win in recent weeks but remain within striking distance of league leaders Leicester City.

With 13 matches remaining in the Premier League season, Liverpool great Souness has analysed Arsenal's hopes and believes they need to show a little bit more character and spirit if they are to break their 12-year premiership drought.

"Arsenal have shown a lack of belief and a lack of confidence this season, and that's when you need the big personalities to step up," he wrote for Sky Sports.

"But you look for the big personalities at Arsenal, and it's difficult. Petr Cech has improved them by at least 10 points, and that should put them somewhere close to winning it, but they are still trailing by five points.

"They got away with it against Bournemouth last weekend, and they need to step it up a gear to get back to how they were playing earlier this season.

"Arsene Wenger commented on the lack of confidence prior to the game at the Vitality Stadium, but I'm sorry, the big players he's got should be helping out the rest of the team.

"Do Arsenal have enough of these players to see them through the sticky spells? On past history, you'd have to say the answer is no, and that could be their undoing again.

"They don't have enough mettle in their team."

Third-placed Arsenal host Leicester at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what could almost be a season-defining fixture.