Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has told his former club that they should sign a second midfielder this summer along with West Ham star Declan Rice.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with midfielders over the past few months. Youri Tielemans and Douglas Luiz were targets in the summer, while Moises Caicedo was pursued during the January transfer window.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have both been in stunning form this term but they are short on options in that area of the pitch.
This is a serious issue for Mikel Arteta, especially given Partey’s track record of picking up injuries.
It is expected to be a priority for them to sign at least one new midfielder in the summer. They need to bolster their squad with the view to them being back in the Champions League.
Reports in recent months have indicated that Rice is their ‘top target’ for the summer. He has consistently been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons and he is set to earn himself a big move elsewhere later this year.
Petit feels that “it is time” for Rice to leave West Ham so he can “reach his potential at another club.
“I’m a big fan of Declan Rice,” Petit told Premier League Odds.
“It is time for him to leave West Ham and play at a higher level to reach his potential. He needs to play in important competitions every single season if he wants to improve and move on to the next stage.
“I think that he is struggling at West Ham and he does not have a good environment to adapt and improve.”
Petit has also argued that Arsenal should look to sign Caicedo or Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton as they would “fit next to Rice really well”.
“I’m also still a big fan of Mac Allister and Caicedo from Brighton, since I first saw them play. I know Arsenal won’t try and buy them all, but they would also fit next to Rice really well,” Petit added.
“It also wouldn’t be much of a big move, geographically, for Rice as he is located in London with West Ham, so the move won’t hurt too much.
“But with all due respect to West Ham, it is time for Rice to go.
“It reminds me of Lampard when he first left West Ham and went to Chelsea and look what he achieved for himself. He became one of the best midfielders in the world at Chelsea. Rice should follow his example and leave given Arsenal are ready to buy him.”
It is hard to see Arsenal being willing to sign Rice and Caicedo/Mac Allister as the Brighton players would likely…
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