Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has urged his former side to try and sign Bayern Munich midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka ahead of the January transfer window. Thomas Partey’s recent injury issues have left a hole in the centre of the park for the Gunners.

Jorginho has filled in relatively well for Partey but it is clear that Mikel Arteta’s side need a proper number eight, with holding midfielder Declan Rice pushed further forward, a position that Petit isn’t convinced suits his qualities.

Speaking to Compare.Bet, Petit said: “Declan Rice’s priority for Arsenal should be to maintain the balance of the side and to win the ball back for his team. He does those things so well. I think he is wasted a bit in that number 8 role where [Granit] Xhaka played last season because he is such a brilliant holding midfielder."

The Frenchman has also claimed that Arteta needs to dip into the transfer market to try and recruit in the centre of the park. He added: “The main two players I would target if I was Arsenal would be Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.

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“They are both incredible players with huge experience who have both been at Bayern for a while and would maybe like a new challenge. Goretzka has played at such a high level for so long and is still only 28, and I think Kimmich would be great for Arsenal, even if the price tag may be a bit expensive.”