Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has complained that the current squad lacks an "out-and-out goalscorer".

The 42-year-old Ajax coach, who left the Gunners in 2006 after over a decade of service, said that frontman Robin van Persie is better viewed as a support striker.

"When I look at Robin van Persie, he is the front player, but he is better in my old position," he told the Daily Mail. "They are missing an out-and-out goalscorer.

"Now they play with an extra midfielder instead [of two strikers]. The midfielders are all the same sort of players. You need one who wants to get in behind van Persie."

Although Bergkamp has confidence that manager Arsene Wenger will pull through after a shaky start to the season, he said that a proposed return of former player Patrick Vieira over the summer would have been a positive force for the club.

"I know [Wenger] is the one who will be struggling the most," he added. "But with his experience, it'll be OK. There was talk of Patrick going to Arsenal over the summer. I would have done everything possible to get him there. Just to get him in and around the dressing room. It would have brought so much to the team."

Arsenal, who are currently 15th in the Premier League table, will next host Sunderland on Sunday, October 16.