John Hartson, who played for Arsenal between 1995 and 1997, believes his former club should target the biggest and best players this summer to bring back the glory days.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the 42-year-old BT Sport pundit said: “(Arsenal) have got to be in for the big players, the best players from around the world, the same as Chelsea or Manchester United will be”

“If Arsene Wenger wants to appease the fans he’s got to be in the race for the likes of the Virgil Van Dijk who is expected to cost around £40-50 million”

When asked if he’s concerned that Arsene Wenger seems to be in control over his tenure as Arsenal’s manager, Hartson didn’t seem to think of that as a problem.

“It’s pretty much been the same way for the last 10, 15 years.”

Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League since 2004 but have impressive in the FA Cup with three wins in four seasons.

However, the outspoken former Gunners believes the club aren’t working hard enough to sign big-name players – Alexandre Lacazette, Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain.

The last thing Hartson was asked to comment on was the statement from Stan Kroenke that “Arsenal wants to win the Premier League and other major European trophies” and that “Arsene Wenger is the best man for that job.”

“I can’t understand that statement and how he thinks that this group of players could achieve that.

“They’ve got some really good players, they’ve won the FA Cup, beaten Manchester City and Chelsea, proven they can win big games, but I don’t think this group of players can achieve that unless he [Kroenke] has got a big transfer fund he’s prepared to give to Arsene Wenger.”

Hartson, like many others, believes Arsenal aren’t showing enough determination at the transfer market and wants a change in policy to have the Londoners challenging for major honour on a regular basis.