Arsenal are lacking a player like David Villa, according to former Gunner Lauren, while Mirko Vucinic has asked his countryman to snub a move to the English Premier League and join Juventus instead.

Villa was reportedly close to a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window, before Barca stepped in and said they were not prepared to let go of any of their players.

Arsene Wenger is a huge fan of the Spanish international, and is thought to be considering a summer move, with Barca not expected to stop the move this time around, as Villa will have just a year remaining on his contract.

Lauren, who played for Arsenal for six years, believes a player like Villa is exactly what will turn Arsenal into contenders.

"Arsenal need a striker like Villa," he told La Xarxa. "They need that sort of player.

"Villa can get you 15, 20, 25 goals in a season, and that's what Arsenal need at the moment. Villa has a lot of talent, scores a lot of goals.

"He would do brilliantly at Arsenal. He'd combine well with Monreal, Cazorla and Arteta. He'd fit in with the Spaniards in the dressing room, and the adaptation period would be very quick."

Another forward that Arsenal have reportedly prioritized is Stevan Jovetic of Fiorentina. However, Jovetic's international teammate Vucinic believes his compatriot would be a better fit at Juventus.

"Jovetic and I play close together in the national side and we often switch positions with each other," he told Tuttosport. "I'd like to do that at Juve as he is a fellow countryman and is a really strong player.

"However, there is Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici here who work on transfers, it is up to them to decide."

Arsenal are expected to face competiton, not just from Juventus, but also from Manchester City for the 23-year-old, who is widely tipped to leave Viola at the end of the season.