Paul Merson believes Arsenal need a player such as Sergio Busquets to really challenge for the Premier League title.

The Gunners have only signed goalkeeper Petr Cech so far this summer and ex-forward Merson feels Arsene Wenger has to lure a top quality player in the mould if Barcelona ace Busquets to the Emirates if his side is to challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City for premiership glory.

"I still think that they need a holding midfielder – they are talking about them putting in a bid for Busquets from Barcelona and if they can get him, that would be a massive signing as he is a big player," said Merson on Sky Sports in his pre-match analysis of Sunday's Community Shield clash between the Gunners and Blues at Wembley.

"Arsenal had Francis Coquelin in that role last season, but will you win the Premier League with just him as your holding midfielder though?

"I don't think so, so for me I think they need to still get a holding midfielder, so that really dents them. Especially when you get to the latter stages of the Champions League, as you have to remember that Coquelin was on loan last season (at Charlton Athletic), so if you look at a team sheet with his name on it….."