LONDON--Arsenal great Robert Pires thinks the club's new signings can help them win the Premier League this season, but that the team still needs more confidence and a bit of luck to lift the trophy.
Pires has been impressed with Arsene Wenger's spending spree in the transfer window, with the Gunners manager making a late double swoop for centre-back Shkodran Mustafi and striker Lucas Perez after bringing in midfielder Granit Xhaka in May.
"He spent a lot of money. Not like Man United or Man City, but he chose good players with good quality," Pires told ESPN FC after Saturday's charity game at Emirates Stadium for The Arsenal Foundation.
"I think some players like Xhaka or Mustafi can help this team. Because actually the team is really good, the quality is unbelievable. Maybe they need more confidence, but I believe in Arsenal this season."
Jens Lehmann, the former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper, said he had not expected Wenger to spend so big on bringing in his countryman Mustafi from Valencia, a deal reportedly worth £35 million.
"That's a little bit unlike Arsenal, to sign a defender for 40 million (euros)," Lehmann told ESPN FC. "I was surprised."
Pires showed some of his old skills as he put the finishing touches on a 4-2 win for an Arsenal Legends team over Milan Glorie at the Emirates, and has been keeping fit by training with the Gunners' first team at London Colney at times.
And what he has seen in those training sessions has made him a believer that this could be a good year for the club, despite a rocky start to the campaign.
"I believe always in this team and this squad and of course in Arsene Wenger," Pires told reporters. "I know a lot of fans are particular about Arsene.
"But I think the quality is there. This is my opinion, but when you see all the names at Arsenal, the quality is unbelievable. Believe me, because sometimes I'm training with the guys, and the team is very, very good.
"We need maybe a bit of luck for this season, and I hope less injuries."