Charlie Nicholas says Arsenals strikers are not solely to blame for the clubs disappointing campaign, suggesting a central defender should be Arsene Wengers priority this summer. The Gunners slender title hopes were ended with a goalless draw at Sunderland on Super Sunday and a top-four finish is far from guaranteed with fifth-placed Manchester United five points behind with a game in hand.Wengers side are the lowest scorers in the top four and have found the net the same amount of times at home as second-from-bottom Newcastle, while they also have the joint-worst defensive record in the top four along with Manchester City. Former Arsenal forward Nicholas told Sky Sports: I accept over the last two months that the central striker area has been a massive problem, but theres been a problem from day one and thats at centre-back.Theres the soft excuse that Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott have all had their injury problems, but for me the biggest issue exists at the back. Arsene Wenger admitted he is worried about missing out finishing in the top four Theres been so many games where theyve been in control then boom, theres a weak defensive decision and then all of the sudden theyre over the place and the panic sets in.Its just not been solid at all and in my opinion Arsenal have not had a proper defence in five or six seasons.While Wenger has come under fire for failing to add another striker last summer, Nicholas thinks Real Madrids 22-year-old defender Raphael Varane could be the ideal candidate to strengthen the backline. In my opinion Arsenal have not had a proper defence in five or six seasons. Charlie Nicholas When Arsene Wenger starts planning for next season, if he is there, which I think he will be, I would rather he addressed the defensive issues than bought a striker, he added.If I had a position to buy right now and a choice between a centre-forward and Raphael Varane, my priority would be Varane. Charlie predicts... Find out what Charlie is tipping up for Man City v Real Madrid here. It needs to be a leader but one of significance on the pitch, not like Per Mertesacker saying the right things in front of the camera 30 minutes before the game. Leadership isnt chit chat, its being willing to sacrifice yourself. Arsenal create chances and I know its a problem not taking them but they tend to take enough to win games. What they dont do is win games 1-0 like Leicester have been doing. Per Mertesacker saw red in Arsenals 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in January The hardest position to fill is the centre-forward but youve got to sort the basics first and I dont think it needs to be a superstar striker because of the chances they create. Giroud has a decent scoring record for the club and hes not a superstar.If they get Gonzalo Higuain in for say £50m and keep conceding two or three goals then they still wont win anything. Also See: Parlour: Wenger likely to stay Szczesny wants Roma stay Arsenal need to be careful Wilshere sets sights on Euros Fake Baseball Jerseys . Here is a look at all the moves through the first week of NHL Free Agency. The most significant deals will get the full Numbers Game column treatment, like these:Briere-for-Parenteau trade. 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Were going to give him a few days," general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday. "Weve got some flexibility with our roster right now." Beltre came out of Tuesdays game at Boston, then returned home for an MRI and exam by team physician Dr. Keith Meister. The Rangers were off Thursday before a 10-day homestand. Daniels said Meister was "pleasantly surprised" that the strain wasnt as severe as initially thought. Beltre has hadd a history of quad and hamstring issues, and knows how to manage those.dddddddddddd The Rangers have roster flexibility until they have to activate right-hander Colby Lewis for his first start since July 2012. He has been rehabbing from hip surgery that followed elbow surgery. "Until we activate him, weve got that extra spot. Originally we were thinking of starting Colby on Saturday," Daniels said. "Were going to push it back. We could push it back as late as Tuesday. That will give us some time for Adrian to see how hes feeling and four our medical staff to evaluate him, whether or not hell ultimately go on the DL, or that period of time will be enough to where he can manage." ' ' '