Former Ipswich Town ace Matt Holland feels Arsenal need a new defensive midfield signing.
Sporting Lisbon youngster William Carvalho has also been touted as a possible arrival at Emirates Stadium.
Asked if the Gunners needed to strengthen in defensive midfield, Holland told the Daily Star: "Yeah, probably.
"They've got Flamini and Arteta, and maybe even Diaby too if he can stay fit.
"They've got a multi-talented squad. Absolutely top-class individuals, but they are probably a little bit light in that centre midfield powerhouse area where in the past they've had the likes of Gilberto Silva, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit.
"They've had an enforcer, a box-to-box midfielder who's got a bit of a presence about them.
"That is one area they do lack, and if Thomas Vermaelen goes to Barcelona, as seems likely, then they are a centre-half short as well."
