Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Legend Backs Wenger to Buy Big in the January Window

Arsenal need a central defender and a defensive midfielder to shore up their fragile looking defence, that much is clear as day. But, Arsene Wenger, so far, has refused to address the latter, while dithering on the former.

However, as far as former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn is concerned, Wenger will spend the cash in the January transfer window or next summer to bring that central defender and defensive midfielder to help the team step up that extra level which has been missing for quite a while now.

Calls for Wenger to be sacked have only increased with every passing day, and hit its heights after Arsenal's 3-2 loss to Stoke in the English Premier League on Saturday, when the away side gave away three cheap goals.

However, with Wenger showing he is not shy of spending money, Winterburn believes the Frenchman needs to be given time to turn things around at Arsenal and make them into a force in the Premier League and Europe again.

"My take on it is we are in a new period for Arsenal, particularly since the signing of Mesut Ozil," said Winterburn to TalkSport.

"It looks as if the club has got some substantial funds now and I think Arsene Wenger needs to look at the situation and decide if he can get reinforcements in.

"I'd like to see him in charge simply I because I'd like to see, with the money I believe is now available, whether he will change and look to bring in new players, and it is looking like he will."

Winterburn acknowledges Arsenal need new players in January, and quality ones at that, not just bargains. The likes of William Carvalho, Morgan Schneiderlin, Lars Bender, Sami Khedira and Mats Hummels have been linked, and the former Arsenal great has backed Wenger to make the right moves in the transfer window.

"The squad is too thin and there are certain areas they know need to be improved if they are going to challenge for the title next season, which Arsene Wenger is telling us is going to happen," added Winterburn.

"Arsenal have never spent £40 million before like they did with Ozil and £30 million like they did on Alexis Sanchez. Now, if he went out and did that on a holding midfield player and maybe another centre-half then people would start to say Arsene Wenger is changing his ways."

While it's clear Arsenal need improvements at the back and in deep midfield, what also needs to change are the tactics. Too many times this season, Arsenal have shown their naivety, and if that does not change, goals will continue to leak no matter who Wenger brings in.