Arsenal legend Robert Pires believes Wanyama would be perfect for the Gunners

Pires feels Arsenal should sign Wanyama

Former Arsenal legend Robert Pires has suggested that the Gunners ought to sign midfielder Victor Wanyama from Southampton. Pires feels that the midfielder has all the tools to be a world class defensive midfielder in his arsenal.

In an recent interview in Wanyama’s hometown of Nairobi, Kenya, the 42-year Arsenal legend said “I know Wanyama, he is a very good ambassador of Kenyan football and has done well in Southampton but I hope he signs for Arsenal in the future.”

“He has the speed, skill and physique. However, I think he needs to score more goals because then he will be world-class material.” 

The Kenyan has recently had an uptick of form, although he admitted that Southampton fans wouldn’t be impressed with him, having handed in a transfer request at the start of the season. Wanyama was very keen to join Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window but a proposed move fell through after the Saints refused to sell the Kenyan following the departure of French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United. 

However, with 18 months to go on his contract, perhaps the South Coast club will be keen to cash in on their midfield destroyer while his stock is still high.

Wenger denies interest

Arsene Wenger, however, does not seem to share Robert Pires’ views with regard to signing the Kenyan international.

Speaking in his pre match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Aston Villa, Wenger tried to play down the rumours, saying, “I rate the player but we are not on the case.”

Wenger’s comments should not concern Arsenal fans, as he is famous for downplaying rumours even with regard to players he has subsequently signed, most notably when he claimed ‘I do not know this guy!’ just before signing Santi Cazorla.

The Arsenal manager, who did not sign any outfield player in the summer transfer window has recently hinted that he is looking to boost the injury-hit Arsenal midfield and could spend big when the transfer market reopens in January. The Gunners are without first-choice defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin for the near future and Wenger could bring in Wanyama as cover.

The north London side is currently amidst their annual injury crisis, with midfielders Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, and Santi Cazorla out with injury in addition to Coquelin. Perhaps that might force Wenger’s hand in the transfer market, as Pires undoubtedly hopes.