Merson, who previously played for Arsenal, argued that the club failed to make the kind of marquee attacking signing that could have taken Mikel Arteta’s side to another level in Europe.
Arsenal enjoyed an impressive Champions League campaign last season and are expected to be among the leading contenders again. However, Merson believes their chances of lifting the trophy could ultimately depend on whether they can find an extra dimension in attack when facing Europe’s elite sides.
The former midfielder pointed to Arsenal’s failure to sign either Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior or Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, two players the club was heavily linked with during the summer transfer window.
Merson believes the arrival of either forward could have provided the difference Arsenal need in decisive Champions League matches.
“Arsenal’s record last year was amazing in the Champions League and they’re going to be there or thereabouts again – but I don’t think they bought that X factor signing to take them to that next level,” Merson told Sky Sports.
While he believes Arsenal have enough quality across the squad to compete for the Premier League title, Merson questioned whether their forward line possesses the cutting edge required to overcome the continent’s strongest teams.
“They have enough to win the Premier League with their squad. I just think the forward line against the big boys, they’re missing that little ingredient,” he said.
The Gunners have strengthened their squad in recent transfer windows as they seek to end their long wait for major silverware, but Merson believes the absence of a proven difference-maker in attack could once again prove costly in Europe.
“If they’d had a Vinicius Junior or a Julian Alvarez, that would have given them the edge to go on and win the Champions League,” he added.
Arsenal’s challenge will now be to prove Merson wrong as they embark on another Champions League campaign with ambitions of going all the way.
Despite his doubts over their European prospects, Merson remains confident that the north London club possesses sufficient strength to mount a serious Premier League title challenge.
But when it comes to Europe’s biggest prize, he expects Arsenal’s campaign to end just short of glory.
“I think they might just fall short,” Merson concluded.