Arteta told he's making £25m transfer mistake that could cost Arsenal title

William Gallas believes that Arsenal do not need to sign Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino.

Mikel Arteta's side have been closely linked to signing the Spanish midfielder this summer. Merino is said to be available for £25million having entered the final year of his contract.

It is not a deal that will necessarily come easily. Competition could arrive from Barcelona and Sociedad still have ambitions to keep the player, while Arsenal are even said to privately have concerns over Merino's age.

Former Gunners defender Gallas believes that the north London side should instead focus their attention on landing a new forward. After twice falling agonising short of Manchester City in the Premier League title race, he believes Arsenal require a forward who will score 20 or more goals.

"Arsenal don’t need to sign Mikel Merino when they have Declan Rice who can play in that role," Gallas told Genting Casino. "I don’t think Arsenal need another midfielder. They need a striker and maybe a winger.

"I’m sticking by my prediction of Arsenal winning the title but they still need a top class striker that can go and score them 20 goals in the Premier League. The only issue is that they haven’t signed that striker yet, despite coming so close to being champions last season.

"They got that close without having a striker who could score 20 goals, Manchester City won it because they have Erling Haaland. You have to have a player like that.

"With Gabriel Jesus, he has injuries and isn’t consistent enough. I’m also not convinced by Kai Havertz, he scored goals but many were penalties, they need to buy a striker.

"I hope Gabriel Jesus can be the play to fire Arsenal to the title and it’s Mikel Arteta who sees him in training everyday – but I don’t think he has what it takes to score 20 goals.

"He didn’t do it at Manchester City and hasn’t done it at Arsenal, I’m not sure he can do it this season either."

Arsenal have so far added Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori to their squad in addition to converting David Raya's loan to a permanent deal. They have seen Emile Smith Rowe depart, leaving room for Merino to arrive.

The Gunners get their season underway against Wolves in under two weeks but have two friendlies remaining in their pre-season campaign. They take on Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening before facing Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday.