Arsenal hero Ray Parlour admits their market work lags behind Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City.
Manchester United spent £150m over the summer while City and Chelsea are able to compete consistently at the top end of the Premier League thanks to massive investment from their owners.
Parlour told the Daily Star: "Arsenal need to sign a midfielder and a defender.
"I'm just a bit worried about the defence at the moment, an extra injury in there at the moment it would be very difficult for Arsene Wenger.
"Wenger hasn't got many defenders use I'm sure he'll be looking at that situation.
"Once everybody is fit we've got Olivier Giroud coming back into the side and there will be a little bit of competition from Theo Walcott.
"It's very difficult when you're against Chelsea and Man City with the money they can throw at wages - even United."
