Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire-Emery celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #10 Ousmane Dembele during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Montpellier Herault SC at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on November 3, 2023. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal warned against signing 26yo PSG winger

Emmanuel Petit offers transfer advice to Arsenal, questions Dembele's form

Nov 4, 2023

Emmanuel Petit, the former Arsenal midfielder, has offered his opinion on the club’s potential transfer strategies. While dismissing PSG’s Ousmane Dembele as an unsuitable option for Arsenal, Petit has pinpointed Brentford’s striker Ivan Toney as an excellent prospect for the Gunners to consider in the January window.

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 03: Ousmane Dembele of PSG during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier HSC at Parc des Princes on November 03, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) — PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 03: Ousmane Dembele of PSG during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier HSC at Parc des Princes on November 03, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has urged Arsenal to avoid Ousmane Dembele in January as the club looks to improve their attacking options.

As Mikel Arteta’s current crop of Gunners look to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League this season, there have been rumours swirling about potential new players.

But Petit, who joined Arsenal from Monaco in 1997, has said PSG‘s Dembele would be a poor fit for the North London side, while suggesting another star striker who would be a good signing in January.

Petit told OLBG: “Ousmane Dembele is struggling as he’s under massive pressure at PSG. He wastes chances on many occasions and he’s not scoring goals. It’s been a difficult start for him, so I can’t say Dembele for Arsenal.

“I’m a huge fan of Ivan Toney. 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 manager Thomas Frank has declared he wants Toney to stay at the Bees ‘forever’, amidst a potential battle for his signature from Arsenal and Chelsea, another one of Petit’s former teams.

Petit, 53, also believes that top Wolves talent Pedro Neto might not be a necessary improvement for Arsenal – although they should be gutted at missing out on a couple of available names in the summer.

Petit said: “Pedro Neto is a young prospect. He’s not scoring many goals, but he’s delivered seven assists this season. Neto has played 100 games for Wolves already, and he’s delivered 17 total assists.

“He’s an exciting prospect and he’s electric. He’s a good player who is playing for his national team, but I’m not sure if Arsenal need him.

“I was upset when Manchester City signed Jeremy Doku and Allan Saint-Maximin went to Newcastle United. They are the type of players Arsenal should be looking at.”

With regards to Arsenal‘s midfield, Petit highlighted the injury woes at the club and the need for a player like Jude Bellingham, currently shining for Real Madrid.

“At the moment, Arsenal need another midfielder because they’re struggling with injuries. Thomas Partey has been injured for so long since his arrival, Jorginho can’t play every game, and Emile Smith Rowe has just come back.

“I also think Martin Odegaard is starting to look a bit fatigued,” Petit observed. “Arsenal need to have a quality midfielder. I’d love to see a player like Jude Bellingham – someone who creates, builds the game, scores, assists, and everything else in midfield. He’s the signing of my dreams, but Arsenal need someone like him.”

Arsenal, after their recent League Cup exit at the hands of West Ham, are preparing for their Premier League match against Newcastle United and a subsequent Champions League game against Sevilla.