Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell believes that a top class center back is what the club needs to win trophies.
The Gunners have shown encouraging signs under Mikel Arteta, which was evidenced by a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
But Campbell does not think the team can finish in the top four or win the league without a quality center back.
"Look what Liverpool did, you know Van Dijk. For me, could I see Arsenal spending that type of money?" he told Stadium Astro.
"Sometimes it does take that type of money if a player is nailed on and you've got to get him and he can actually start to change the outlook of your team, especially from the back.
"It might take something like that. They don't mind buying Nicolas Pepe and spending that kind of big money up front but you've got to realise that sometimes you need to catch up with the rest of the guys.
"Sometimes when the player does become available and you really think: 'This guy can really change it', and you've looked at all the scenarios, you might have to dip in the pocket and buy someone big at the back to take that on and then you build around him.
"But you've got to go for it. Going for it at the front, paying big money for front guys, but don't underestimate getting quality defenders to hold that backline together."
