Emmanuel Petit urges Arsenal to sign 'unpredictable' Premier League star

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has urged his former club to make a move for wantaway Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha.

Emmanuel Petit thinks Wilfried Zaha is ‘exactly the kind of player Arsenal need’ to move back up the Premier League table.

The Gunners have finished eighth in the Premier League for the last two seasons and will be without European football next term for the first time in a quarter of a century.

Despite this unfortunate setback, Mikel Arteta remains confident. The club’s manager is intent on making new signings to strengthen the squad ahead of his second full season in charge.

And Zaha, who is reportedly seeking a summer exit from Palace again, is one player Petit believes would fit the bill perfectly.

“Wilfried Zaha has been repeatedly linked with Arsenal in recent years,” the Frenchman told Paddy Power.

“Arsenal used to play with wingers and guys who could make a difference on the flank, who would take responsibility and show the hunger and desire to get the victory – that was the Arsenal that I knew!”

Petit played under legendary Gunners manager Arsene Wenger between 1997 and 2000. The former midfielder made 112 appearances in an Arsenal jersey and won four trophies, including the Premier League title.

He added: “When I played for Arsenal in the late 90s, we had Marc Overmars, Sylvain Wiltord, and Robert Pires – these players were so exciting to watch.

“Zaha is an unpredictable player, you don’t know what he’s going to do with the ball. He’s got a strong character, and sometimes he needs to control his emotions, but he’s exactly the kind of player Arsenal need.

“For ages, Arsenal haven’t had a player who could dribble or make a difference with the ball at his feet. With Zaha, they would have somebody capable of taking responsibility and not scared to take on defenders.”