Arsenal need to make two or three big signings this summer, says Ray Parlour

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour says the club need to make two or three big signings in the summer to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League.

The Gunners have made marquee signings for the past two summers, bringing in Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in 2013 and Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona last summer.

Although Parlour says manager Arsene Wenger has been a success and brought the club forward, he admits it is on the pitch that it really matters.

Talking on Soccer AM, Parlour said: “He’s been a success and then had that barren spell when they didn't win trophies.

“A lot happened at the club, they moved stadiums, a magnificent stadium. Everything around the club is down to Arsene Wenger. He always had that vision to take that club forward, and it definitely has gone forward.

“Now it is on the pitch that matters. They've got to challenge in the Premier League, in the Champions League they must go further.

“And hopefully next season if they can buy two or three players, big, big players, then they might be able to challenge.”

Parlour, who made 466 appearances for the Gunners and won the Premier League and FA Cup three times at the club under Wenger, insists the Frenchman has more of a sense of humour than he lets on in public.

Parlour delved into some old tales from his time at Highbury, including a comedy incident on the training pitch with Wenger.

“Common sense-wise Arsene Wenger was a walking disaster. I used to nickname him Inspector Clouseau. He was that sort of character.

“There was an occasion when he walked out with a bag of balls. We're warming up, and he can't find the hole where the ball comes out of.

"We do another lap, and the next minute he's tangled up in the net.

“Behind the scenes, people don't see what he is like, but he has such a great sense of humour. And that is so important, day to day.”