Arsenal need to sign the likes of Chelsea star Petr Cech and Southampton’s midfield maestro Morgan Schneiderlin if they’re to be title contenders next season, according to former Gunner Ray Parlour.

The Gunners are 2015’s form team in the Premier League, but even a miraculous run since the turn of the year has not been enough to ever truly put them in the title race – now won by Chelsea with three games to go.

Arsene Wenger’s side sit level on points with Manchester City in second spot, and claiming the position ahead of the Citizens would mark the London outfit’s highest finish in 10 years.

WANT MORE? >> Arsenal transfer news | Latest transfer news

Their impressive recent run has led to talk of a possible title challenge next season if they can avoid a stuttering start to the 2015/16 campaign, and Parlour told Sky Sports that such an aim is realistic, but only if they sign players of Cech and Schneiderlin’s quality:

"Arsene Wenger definitely needs to buy players and during the summer is going to be very important and not just for Arsenal. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool will all strengthen and the transfer market is going to be very competitive with players available.

"Who is going to go where will be the key next year. Arsenal need to keep their nucleus of players and also bring in some more quality in certain areas to really challenge Chelsea.

"The goalkeeping situation needs to be looked at - Wojciech Szczesny will move on and David Ospina has had his opportunity but you still need a real world-class goalkeeper.

"Obviously Petr Cech may be available in the summer and he's the sort of goalkeeper you have to be looking at. He's got that experience and that quality and is still a great age because keepers go on for a lot longer than outfield players.

“A central midfielder to strengthen right down the spine - someone like Morgan Schneiderlin... that's the sort of player I would be looking at if I was Arsene Wenger."

[ad_pod id='ffc-video' align='center']

[ffc-quiz ]