Arsenal technical director Edu has been tasked with the job of signing either Allan Saint-Maximin or Wilfried Zaha in the January transfer window. The mission comes as the Gunners begin to mount a Premier League title charge following impressive back-to-back wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
The north London side currently sit top of the table and are just one point ahead of Manchester City. However, in order to sustain a title charge, former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has encouraged his former side to sign backup options to Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus in the event that either of the three pick up an injury.
The trio have each played a crucial role in the Gunners' success so far this season, with Mikel Arteta's front-three often unchanged. But, when up against a force such as the reigning Premier League champions, Arsenal have been steered towards the signings of Saint-Maximin or Zaha in January.
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Speaking to Genting Casino, Petit admitted that he doesn't think the north Londoners are in a position to win the league this season unless they can strengthen the depth of their front three. He said: "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.
"If they are to strengthen, I think they need wingers because Saka, Martinelli and Jesus have been great, but they have no-one to replace them if they get injured," Petit added. ." [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."
Saint-Maximin and Zaha, who are valued at a combined £39.5million by CIES Football Observatory, have both been heavily linked with big-money moves to many of the 'top-six' Premier League clubs in recent times. Both would be great acquisitions, though it remains to be seen whether they'd settle for a second-fiddle role at Arsenal.
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