Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger backed to spend £120m in summer by ex-striker John Hartson

Former Arsenal striker John Hartson remains confident that Arsene Wenger will spend heavily in the summer transfer window. He has advised the Frenchman to complete the signing of a world class forward and a top quality centre-back, who can help the Gunners win the title in the 2016/17 season.

Wenger saw his side finish second on the league table last term, losing the title to Leicester City. Last summer, Petr Cech moved from Chelsea to Arsenal and was the only signing before the start of the campaign.

The Gunners boss is looking to avoid a similar situation this time as the north London club have already completed the signing of Granit Xhaka. The Swiss international midfielder moved to the Emirates from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Hartson, who played for the north London club from 1995 to 1997, has claimed that the Arsenal manager will splash the cash in adding quality players to his squad to bolster the Gunners and help them end their over decade-long title drought. He has backed Wenger to spend around £120m ($174.2m) this summer.

"They need a centre-forward and a centre-half. Arsene Wenger has to buy players who can take them forward and enhance the team," Hartson told Metro.

"They don't necessarily come cheap but I genuinely feel Arsene Wenger will have a real good go next season and to do that he needs to spend big money. By big money I mean on the top, top strikers around the world and top centre-halves."

"They've just gone out and bought a good player in Xhaka. They needed a holding central midfielder and they've paid around £30m for him, which is the type of money the Arsenal fans want to see being spent on the best players," he said.

"I think Arsene Wenger will spend a lot of money this summer. I expect him to spend between £100m and £120m and I think they'll have a real challenge next season.

"He's been holding that money back slightly and been a bit cautious to go and spend it. But after finishing second behind Leicester, the fans will want the title next season and I think he'll bring in some seriously good players this summer," Hartson explained.