Ex-Gunner Paul Merson believes Arsenal should try and sign AFC Bournemouth central defender Nathan Ake during the summer transfer window.
Arsenal have been woeful in defence this season and last month they did manage to strengthen their backline by bringing in Soares and Pablo Mari on loan.
But Merson feels that the North London club should try and sign Nathan Ake since the Cherries defender will not need time to settle down at the club given that he’s been playing in England since 2011.
“They need a centre-half and a world-class holding midfielder,” Merson said on Sky Sports.
“I think Arsenal need to play with a back three. They’re not good enough as defenders to play as a four.
“Ake has pace and he’s played in England for a while, so if you brought him in for next season he’s not a player who will need time to get used to the league for six months.
“Arsenal need to hit the ground running [next season] and everybody needs to know their jobs in the team.”
Nathan Ake left Chelsea to join Bournemouth in 2017 and last month there were heavy speculations that the player could move back to Stamford Bridge.
And while the move eventually did not happen but there have been reports that Lampard might want to resign him during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea do have the first right to refuse in case Nathan Ake does go on sale meaning Arsenal, if interested, will have wait for the Blues to refuse the defender’s services before they can move for the 24-year-old.
