Arsenal Legend Paul Merson believes Steven Gerrard is the man to replace Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas.

He said: ‘I worry about the future of Arsenal. They don't win trophies anymore and they're selling their best players. Where are they going?

‘What they need to do is sell Fabregas and take the money up to Liverpool to buy Gerrard.

‘He's the man who could come in and immediately command respect and help the team win those crucial games they have been losing. Who else is there?’

With rivals Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City planning to spend again this summer Arsenal are in danger of losing their foothold as one of England’s top three sides.

And the former Gunners winger wants Arsene Wenger to change his philosophy of buying young, untried players which he believes has left the squad lightweight and unable to compete.

He said: ‘They need to buy established players who can come in, hit the ground running and win things, players like Gerrard.

‘If Chelsea sold Frank Lampard they'd still challenge for the title but Arsenal won't stand a chance if they sell Fabregas.

‘Five years ago they were this big, strong side. The best team to have played in the Premier League.

'And in he blink of an eye it has changed and there's all these little blokes running around saying ‘ooh, please don't kick me.’

He said: 'I'm tired of hearing about Arsenal buying young and promising players - they need to win something now, not in three or five years.

'I love my club but they've become also-rans. There really isn't much to differentiate between them, Spurs and City. The club has lost that edge.'

‘You can toss a coin between those three to decide who's the better side.’

He said: ‘I saw Alex Ferguson jumping up and down on the pitch, celebrating with the fans when they won it in 2005 after a season when they didn't win anything - he was over the moon.

‘United started to win stuff again, going on to pick up three titles in a row. This Arsenal team hasn't won anything, they don't know how to.

'Hardly any of them has a winners medal and it shows. They get to a certain point be it in the league or in cups and they don't know what to do.