Emmanuel Petit urges Arsenal to rethink transfer target - "I wouldn't sign him"

06 November 2023 , 07:54

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Emmanuel Petit urges Arsenal to rethink transfer target - "I wouldn't sign him"

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes Mikel Arteta should swerve a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.

The France international, 26, quit Barcelona in the summer to move to Paris but has struggled at the Parc des Princes. Dembele is still yet to break his duck for PSG, despite playing in 13 matches this term.

While Dembele has already been linked with a move away from the French giants, Arsenal are believed to be targeting attacking reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window. Dembele is one of the names being monitored by the Gunners, but Petit is adamant that signing him would be a mistake.

Petit offered up a fairly brutal verdict of Dembele to OLBG, saying: "I wouldn't sign him. He constantly wastes opportunities and doesn't score goals. He's had a difficult start at PSG, which is why I wouldn't be in favour of bringing Dembele to Arsenal."

Although Arsenal have made a strong start to the season, Arteta's side are still on the lookout for additional firepower. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have both played as a No.9 this term but there are question marks over their goalscoring abilities.

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Mirror Football has already revealed that Brentford forward Ivan Toney is high on the Gunners' New Year wishlist - even though the former Newcastle striker is currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules.

Join the debate! Do you think Dembele would be a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know here.

Emmanuel Petit has warned Arsenal off a move for Ousmane Dembele (KIEA Sports+/Youtube)

Toney is free to play again as of January 16 and is believed to be open to joining the Gunners given his desire to test himself at a top club. After seeing him plunder 20 league goals for the Bees last season, Petit believes Toney is exactly the type of striker Arsenal need to give their Premier League title hopes a boost.

"I'm a huge fan of Ivan Toney," he said last week. "He's done a great job with Brentford ever since they came up from the Championship, and I'm not surprised that they're struggling without him, even if they beat Chelsea at the weekend.

"Brentford are not the same team without Toney and the package he brings - his goals, mentality, and behaviour. Whoever gets Toney in January, if he does leave, will be getting a great bargain. If Arsenal have a chance to sign him, they should go for him."

Dan Marsh