Arsenal must splash out on FIVE transfers this summer, warns Petit as he urges Gunners to sign Lens star Seko Fofana
EMMANUEL PETIT has warned Arsenal must sign "at least four or five" players to challenge for the title.
The Gunners can clinch a Champions League spot with a win against local rivals Tottenham on Thursday night.
"They need two players in midfield. I really like Seko Fofana from Lens.
"He is box-to-box midfielder. He is a very talented player."
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Fofana, 27, played for Manchester City as a youngster, having a loan spell with Fulham before moving to Bastia and then Udinese.
He joined Lens in 2020 and is thriving in Ligue 1, recently becoming captain of the seventh placed side.
The skipper has made 39 appearances in total this season with 10 goals, including a last minute winner against Reims last weekend.
The Ivory Coast international has gained the attention of Prem rivals Burnley, Newcastle and Leeds.
Petit - who played under Arsene Wenger in Arsenal's best era in modern times - admitted that Mikel Arteta's team are closing the gap on the big boys at the top of the division.
He said: "They will qualify for the Champions League this season but they want to compete, not just on the European stage, because it's important for Arsenal also to compete for the Premier League title.
"When you see the quality of Man City and Liverpool over the last few years. They have been so good and consistent.
"The gap between Arsenal and those clubs has improved a lot, but they still have stairs to climb until they are on their level."
EYE ON STERLING
World Cup winner Petit highlighted other positions the Gunners can improve in this summer's window.
The 51-year-old said: "At least two up front.
"And then speed on the wings. Players like Allan Saint-Maximin, those kind of players.
"I will keep an eye on Raheem Sterling and on Marcus Rashford, I dont know what he will do with Erik ten Hag but they need to keep an eye on him.
"If they can afford to get at least one left-back or right-back who will play in different positions like Cancelo at Man City.
"We've seen when Arsenal don't play with Takehiro Tomiyasu or Kieran Tierney, they struggle."
Meanwhile, Arsenal are “set to explore” the possibility of signing Raheem Sterling this summer - one of the names on Petit's shortlist.
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The popular 27-year-old England forward is about to enter the final year of his contract at Manchester City.
Arteta is said to be keen on making him the focal point of his attack.