Charlie Nicholas says defence is a problem for Arsenal

Charlie Nicholas says Arsenal's strikers are not solely to blame for the club's disappointing campaign, suggesting a central defender should be Arsene Wenger's priority this summer.

The Gunners' slender title hopes were ended with a goalless draw at Sunderland on Super Sunday and a top-four finish is far from guaranteed with fifth-placed Manchester United five points behind with a game in hand.

Wenger's side are the lowest scorers in the top four and have found the net the same amount of times at home as second-from-bottom Newcastle, while they also have the joint-worst defensive record in the top four along with Manchester City.

Former Arsenal forward Nicholas told Sky Sports: "I accept over the last two months that the central striker area has been a massive problem, but there's been a problem from day one and that's at centre-back.

"There's the soft excuse that Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott have all had their injury problems, but for me the biggest issue exists at the back.

Arsene Wenger admitted he is worried about missing out finishing in the top four Arsene Wenger admitted he is worried about missing out finishing in the top four

"There's been so many games where they've been in control then boom, there's a weak defensive decision and then all of the sudden they're over the place and the panic sets in.

"It's just not been solid at all and in my opinion Arsenal have not had a proper defence in five or six seasons."

While Wenger has come under fire for failing to add another striker last summer, Nicholas thinks Real Madrid's 22-year-old defender Raphael Varane could be the ideal candidate to strengthen the backline.

In my opinion Arsenal have not had a proper defence in five or six seasons. Charlie Nicholas

"When Arsene Wenger starts planning for next season, if he is there, which I think he will be, I would rather he addressed the defensive issues than bought a striker," he added.

"If I had a position to buy right now and a choice between a centre-forward and Raphael Varane, my priority would be Varane.

"It needs to be a leader but one of significance on the pitch, not like Per Mertesacker saying the right things in front of the camera 30 minutes before the game. Leadership isn't chit chat, it's being willing to sacrifice yourself.

"Arsenal create chances and I know it's a problem not taking them but they tend to take enough to win games. What they don't do is win games 1-0 like Leicester have been doing.

Per Mertesacker saw red in Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in January

"The hardest position to fill is the centre-forward but you've got to sort the basics first and I don't think it needs to be a superstar striker because of the chances they create. Giroud has a decent scoring record for the club and he's not a superstar.

"If they get Gonzalo Higuain in for say £50m and keep conceding two or three goals then they still won't win anything."