Ray Parlour urges Arsenal to buy a proven goalscorer

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has called on manager Arsene Wenger to buy a striker before the transfer window shuts in three weeks' time.

Despite only adding goalkeeper Petr Cech to the squad so far this summer, the Gunners have been tipped to challenge for the Premier League title.

However, the team's opening game of the season was a disappointing one for the North London outfit as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, but Wenger has claimed that he will only dip back into the market if an "exceptional solution" presents itself.

"That is a position they've got to look at," Parlour told Sky Sports News. "Everyone is going to jump on the bandwagon now but it's a long, hard season and there's a long way to go.

"If you look at Man City, you know Sergio Aguero is their main man, for Manchester United it's Wayne Rooney and at Chelsea it's Diego Costa. Who is it at Arsenal?

"I didn't know who would start for Arsenal on Sunday because Theo Walcott started the Community Shield. I don't think they have someone who you can say 'he's definitely going to play and he will score us goals'."

Arsenal will take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this Sunday.