Former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka has urged fans to "trust" manager Arsene Wenger despite criticism over his lack of transfer activity this summer.

The Gunners brought in Petr Cech from Chelsea for just under £11m, but failed to make any further additions despite particularly vociferous calls for a new striker to arrive at the Emirates.

However, Anelka believes that Olivier Giroud is "good enough" to lead the line for the Gunners, and stressed that Wenger's track record demands trust.

"Arsene did the same with me - when Ian Wright was there, he didn't buy anyone and I had to do the job up front. He believed in me and in the end I played regularly and played well. He made the same choice with Giroud," Anelka told The National.

"Arsene believes in his team, that's why he hasn't spent money. He believes in Giroud because he thinks he will score a lot of goals, which he already has done. When you look at the statistics he's not so bad. Arsenal won something last season, won something the season before, so why not again?

"But people have to wait and see and then speak at the end of the season. If they don't win anything, then you can say something. However, people have to trust Arsene. He knows what he is doing. Before Arsene, Arsenal were good but they became a bigger club with Arsene Wenger. The way they play football is amazing. In the end, we have to trust him."

Arsenal, who have picked up seven points from their first four games of the season, host Stoke City at the Emirates on Saturday.