Emmanuel Petit has told BT Sport that Arsenal players have told him they want change – but not of the manager.

  • Players want a better transfer strategy from Arsenal
  • Arsenal are expected to make major changes at the club this summer if Wenger stays
  • It’s not clear if they actually will or of this is all just paper talk

“Wenger is the right man but he has to change two very important things for me,” Petit said.

“I spoke with some Arsenal players recently and I think we all agree with that.

“What Arsenal have been doing in the transfer market for me I have not been impressed a lot.

“The recent two or three years you know, I think they need to change that.

“Last summer for example, I have been very disappointed by the fight, it’s like they were signing very quickly the last few days before the end of the market.

“Top clubs you analyse very precisely what you need about six months of a year before the end of the season.

“So I think Arsenal have to react in a better way in the transfer market and they have to change the salary cap.

“They cannot compete with the biggest clubs in Europe if they don’t change that because on top of that Arsenal haven’t won trophies, big trophies for so many years.

“If you don’t improve those two things I think it will be very difficult to bring big players to Arsenal.”

Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates on Sunday in a game they simply have to win.

Losing four of their last five Premier League games, Arsenal actually go into this contest having lost only one of their previous 19 home league meetings against City. A meaningless stat, really, but a surprising one.

Andre Marriner will take charge of Arsenal’s game against Manchester City on Sunday, so what can both sides expect from the official?

  • Marriner has issued 118 yellows and 6 reds this season
  • Only Stuart Atwell has issued more reds (7)
  • Arsenal tend to win more than they lose under Marriner
  • Marriner is averaging two incorrect important decisions per game this season
  • Overall, he is a decent ref when compared to most others

But, no matter what else Andre Marriner does with his life, Arsenal fans will always remember him for mixing up Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, sending off the wrong player.