The Gunners legend feels his old club still need reinforcements (Pictures: Getty)
Emmanuel Petit believes Arsenal can get closer to challenging for the title if they invest in their squad in the January window and wants the club to bring in a superstar Premier League winger.
The Gunners sit top of the table after leapfrogging Manchester City once again courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side have won eight of their nine matches this season and are in excellent form, with Gabriel Martinelli claiming the Man of the Match award against Liverpool and Bukayo Saka netting twice.
But Petit actually feels the wing positions are an area where Arsenal could strengthen even more and would love to see the north Londoners make a January move for Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin – though he’d also settle for Wilfried Zaha.
‘I don’t think Arsenal will win the title but they will definitely qualify for the Champions League and that is a big achievement considering where they were when Arteta came to the club,’ Petit told Genting Casino.
‘If they are to strengthen I think they need wingers because Saka, Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have been great but they have no-one to replace them if they get injured.
Saint-Maximin has terrorised defences this season (Picture: Getty)
‘Emile Smith-Rowe is injured, Eddie Nketiah just signed a new contract but can he be the next striker if Jesus gets injured? My answer is no.
‘All the big teams have big wingers. There’s a few in England that would be my dream for Arsenal.
‘Allan Saint-Maximin would be a great signing. Can you imagine the damage with all the players around him?
‘Wilfried Zaha of Palace too would be great. But they also need a central midfielder and centre-back as I’m not too sure about Rob Holding.’
Petit also singled out Granit Xhaka for praise, continuing: ‘Xhaka is a survivor. When I look at his run with Arsenal since he signed – especially during the COVID-19 and he threw his shirt on the floor – everyone thought that was it.
‘But he came back and Mikel Arteta is responsible for that in a good way. Xhaka is not a crazy horse on the pitch anymore, he doesn’t make late challenges to get yellow or red cards, and Arteta has managed him perfectly on the pitch.
‘Xhaka can now make an important pass, score a great goal, but most importantly he has a smile on his face. I can’t remember the last time that happened and it shows that the fans and his teammates have forgiven him.’
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The Gunners legend feels his old club still need added X factor on the flanks.