'Mikel Arteta needs to replace Arsenal star – he's starting to annoy me'
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Emmanuel Petit has identified the three signings Mikel Arteta needs to make in January to kick-start Arsenal’s season and admits he is getting ‘frustrated’ and ‘annoyed’ by Gabriel Martinelli.
The Gunners are struggling to show the consistency that enabled them to rival Manchester City for the Premier League title over the past two seasons.
Arsenal have dropped points in nine of their 20 league games to slip six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
Arteta’s side were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie earlier this week, a great chance for silverware potentially slipping through their fingers.
Arsenal are being linked with a host of players during the January transfer window and ex-midfielder Petit believes they need to secure ‘at least’ three new signings.
The Gunners’ apparent need for a new striker has been well-documented, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus enduring inconsistent seasons and accused of ‘going missing’ in big games.
Arsenal are interested in signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United but the Magpies have placed a whopping £150m price-tag on his head.
As well as signing a new goalscorer, Petit believes his former club should also be looking to bring a left-winger and attacking midfielder to the Emirates Stadium.
Petit admits he is growing frustrated with current winger Martinelli, who has only reached double figures once over the past five seasons and has missed a number of chances this term.
‘Arsenal don’t just need a striker, I think they needed at least three or four more players last summer,’ Petit told DisCasino. ‘They still need a left-winger, a striker and an attacking midfielder.
‘This January transfer market is tough, though. It will be very hard to find good opportunities to sign good players for a reasonable price.
‘I don’t think it’s part of Mikel Arteta’s policy to sign players for an absurd amount of money.’
To bolster Arteta’s options on the wings, Petit has suggested his former club should sign wantaway star Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.
Rashford admitted he was ‘ready for a new challenge’ last month and has been tentatively linked with Arsenal, though he is expected to move abroad as he looks to revive his stuttering career.
‘Marcus Rashford would be an interesting signing for Arsenal,’ Petit added.
‘I’m very frustrated with Gabriel Martinelli’s performances at the moment, he’s very inconsistent and it’s annoying to watch. He’s been like a ghost on the pitch.
‘Competition for a spot in the XI is important for Arsenal, look at Liverpool’s bench, the quality they have is amazing.
‘I know Nico Williams has been linked, but I’m told he’ll never come to the Premier League if he leaves Athletic Bilbao, he’d only go to Barcelona.
‘The Raheem Sterling gamble has not worked. Rashford, if he’s in the team and playing football in a good environment with a manager who trusts him, you will see the best of him.
‘Is that manager Mikel Arteta? If I’m him, I would definitely have an eye on that situation at Manchester United.
‘He’s not the same player from two years ago, but we all know the level he can reach, quality like that doesn’t just disappear.’
Arsenal face a crucial period of the season, preparing to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup this weekend before a north London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium next week.
The Gunners then face top-four contenders Aston Villa before resuming their promising Champions League campaign as they bid for automatic qualification to the knockout stages.
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