Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes the Gunners must make a move to sign Marco Verratti.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was very close to leaving the club last summer to join Barcelona.
He eventually decided to stay but recent reports have claimed that fresh negotiations are underway for him to leave the French giants this summer.
"To expect that Emery will transform this team into champions overnight is unrealistic," Keown told the Daily Mail.
"Arsenal has been run Arsene Wenger's way for 22 years and, given the sheer spending power of the Manchester clubs, the competition is fierce.
"Emery inherits a side that can do damage in the final third but lacks a steeliness and a nastiness, particularly away from home. If he can restore these ingredients, then Arsenal can at least challenge in the Premier League.
"The fans want to see a team that can dig in, battle and scrap.
"Emery needs to bring in a player like Marco Verratti, who he managed at Paris Saint-Germain, to instil those qualities in midfield."
