Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott has scored 76 times in 302 appearances for Arsenal Getty

Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey has backed teammate Theo Walcott to score more than 20 goals in the new campaign, despite speculation linking the Gunners with a top striker.

After club director Lord Harris claimed Arsene Wenger has £200m ($309m) available to spend during the current mercato, the French boss claimed the Gunners are open-minded about the signing a new hitman, adding that they are not in desperate need.

More about Arsenal

"I've said it and I still stay that today – we are open-minded [on transfers] but we are not in a desperate need," he said in a press conference after the Emirates Cup.

Spanish newspaper AS later added fuel to the fire, reporting that Wenger has set aside £45.6m to get the services of Real Madrid number nine Karim Benzema.

Wenger has Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck in his attacking ranks, but many have suggested he still needs a proven top scorer to fight for the titles after the Giroud came under scrutiny last season following a poor performance in the Champions League against Monaco.

Wenger opted to hand Walcott the number nine role in both the FA Cup final last season and in the recent Community Shield win over Chelsea.

Wenger has said he feels Walcott is ready to take the next step in his career, developing from the flanks into a top-class forward.

And Ramsey seems to agree with his boss, backing Walcott to reach the "100 Club" this season. The former Southampton star has scored 76 times in his 302 appearances at Arsenal since joining as a 16 year old.

"He did very well at the end of last year. He's had a good pre-season. He looks sharp, he looks strong and he can be dangerous. He is a goalscorer – he has a load of goals for Arsenal and I think he can carry that on and maybe get into the 100 Club this year," he said to the club website.

"He's a very strong character. He believes in his abilities and he definitely has a lot of qualities to offer. He can finish – one of the hardest things to do in football is to put the ball in the back of the net and he's done it on numerous occasions for Arsenal. Hopefully he can continue doing that."

Arsene Wenger