“When Mikel Arteta came into the job he definitely shored up the defence, he really got that defensive shape and organisation,” Cole said on Sky Sports.

“But now, in the middle third and the final third, I think they’ve been lacking that sharpness, that real quality and intensity to go and grab a game.

“I just think they’ve struggled. As I mentioned, big players have not turned up.

“Next season, as Jamie said, will they invest? They need to invest if they want to go to the next step and play the Arsenal way, that quick, enjoyable football to watch. They need changes.”