Arsenal's failure to land a striker could cost them silverware, says Stapleton

Frank Stapleton has warned ­Arsenal that their lack of a genuine centre-forward could condemn them to­ another barren season.

The Irishman, a classic No.9 in his days for Arsenal and Manchester United, ­endorses the widespread ­conviction that defeat for ­Arsenal today will eliminate them from the Premier League title contest. Stapleton said: “Arsenal play fantastic football and it’s ­scintillating to watch, but sometimes their end product lets them down.

“It’s significant they’ve been convincingly beaten at home this season by Chelsea and United, who have real quality, power and presence up front. Rooney and Drogba give their teams the focal point in attack that Arsenal just don’t have.

“Arsenal do miss having a centre-forward and Van ­Persie is a big loss for them.

“But perhaps they could have brought in someone in the transfer window. Sometimes you need a player who can ruffle a few feathers.”