O'Leary, who had 20 years at Highbury as a player, expects Wenger to move in the January transfer window to improve his squad.

Former Gunners defender O'Leary was speaking after Arsene Wenger made Cesc Fabregas his new captain.

The 21-year-old Spain midfielder was today named captain after defender William Gallas was stripped of the armband following his ill-advised criticism of team-mates last week.

O'Leary said: "I think he needs to bring in a couple of good players - it's not for me to say who - but I think he knows these young players are very much a mixture of the same thing.

"I think he wanted to bring in one player before the campaign started and he'll be desperate to do it in the next transfer window - but January isn't the ideal time."

Former Gunners defender O'Leary added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think Arsene Wenger did the right thing at the right time (giving the job to Gallas) but what's happened with him (Gallas) - it's right he's done it now."