Neville claims Arsenal will 'let fans down' if they don't sign 2 players

Gary Neville expects to be busy in the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his squad and finally land the Premier League title next season after yet another second-placed finish

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has urged Arsenal to make two top-class signings, insisting that failing to do so would be a let-down for fans. Arsenal concluded their home campaign with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Sunday, ultimately finishing second in the league for the third consecutive season.

Mikel Arteta's team fell short of expectations, failing to secure any silverware this season. They lost the Premier League title to Liverpool, were eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, and underperformed in the FA and League Cup.

Despite being pre-season favourites to win their first title in over 20 years, long-term injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli hindered Arteta's chances. The club's failure to address those issues in the January transfer window further exacerbated the problem.

Neville believes that Arsenal's hierarchy owes it to Arteta and the fans to bring in two world-class signings who can deliver glory next season. Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast after the Newcastle win, the former England full-back assessed Arteta's squad, as per Football London.

"It's obvious they don't need to strengthen in that [defence] area," he began. "They've got a really good group of defenders there. I think that part of the pitch is fine.

"They've got some good midfield players, I think Jorginho obviously goes and they need to bring in someone of high quality in that area to go alongside [Martin] Odegaard, [Declan] Rice and [Thomas] Partey and [Mikel] Merino. They've got a good strong group of midfielders, if they bring another one in there."

As Arsenal seem to be edging closer to a deal for Real Sociedad's Spanish star Martin Zubimendi for their midfield reinforcement, speculation continues about potential upgrades to their attacking line-up.

With Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres emerging as a top target, it has also been claimed that Benjamin Sesko, who is likely to leave to RB Leipzig come the summer, is another target for Arsenal.

Athletic Club's wide-man Nico Williams is also thought to be one player who can add a dash of dynamism to the Arsenal attack. Neville has insisted it's now time for Arteta to boost the team's firepower - or run the risk of upsetting the fans.

"It's that sort of forward area of the pitch where it needs to happen," he added. "They've got a really good methodology of play but there's a little bit of spark, a little bit of penetration and a little bit of bite that's missing. It's not easy to identify world-class players who can take them up that extra level but they have to find them.

"Because if they don't they'll be letting the club down, they'll be letting the fans down, they'll be letting themselves down. The manager and coach, he needs arming with a couple of really good forwards, and if he gets that then he's got a real chance.

"I thought they would've won the title this season, but they haven't done. They have to reflect on that and I'm sure they have done it already."