Paul Merson names two former Arsenal players who would walk into Mikel Arteta’s side today

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Iconic former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has now made it clear which area of Mikel Arteta’s squad he feels is in need of improvement.

A number of legendary players have featured for Arsenal in the Premier League era.

Several members of Mikel Arteta’s current squad could be on their way to attaining such legendary status themselves. 

For instance, Hale End academy graduate Bukayo Saka is already a talismanic figure at the Emirates Stadium, whilst Martin Odegaard has been called a perfect captain and will likely be well remembered for his leadership.

However, Paul Merson has now reflected on some greats of the North London club’s past and has named two former stars who he feels would comfortably slot in to the existing squad. 

• READ MORE: Who are The Invincibles? Meet the Arsenal record-breakers who became Premier League legends

Paul Merson longs for Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in modern Arsenal squad

Asked on X to name two Arsenal legends that he would like to see join the current team, the ex-midfielder named Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

Both players are Arsenal icons, and have been immortalised in statue form outside the Emirates Stadium.

Of course, Henry is the highest goalscorer in the club’s history, and Bergkamp is one of the most technically gifted players to have ever donned the famous red and white.

Both were part of the iconic 2003/04 title-winning squad, who went through that entire Premier League campaign unbeaten, earning themselves the Invincibles nickname.

What Merson’s choice says about Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal

It is no coincidence that Merson named two forwards when asked to choose two former players to join Arteta’s squad, ignoring the likes of midfielder Patrick Vieira and defender Tony Adams, amongst others.

Whilst Kai Havertz has shone as a striker for Arsenal, the German is not the most prolific of goalscorers, and does not exist in the same bracket of quality that Henry and Bergkamp belonged to.

Equally, Gabriel Jesus has struggled to produce his best form in recent months, and there is certainly an argument that Arteta’s squad lacks firepower.

Arsenal were linked with many strikers over the course of the recent summer transfer window, but the opportunity to bring in a new centre-forward ultimately passed them by. 

The next time Arsenal decide to push the boat out for a truly world-class acquisition, it surely has to be in this part of the pitch.