Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta urged to sign his own Mason Mount and Jack Grealish this summer

Arsenal: First fixtures of 2021/22 Premier League season

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta must sign his own versions of Mason Mount and Jack Grealish to turn his side into a genuine Premier League force next season, according to Emmanuel Petit. The Gunners legend says Arteta needs to bring in ‘at least five players with talent and character’ in the transfer window.

Arteta needs big improvements next term after Arsenal finished eighth in the top flight in successive seasons – missing out on European qualification last term for the first time in 25 years.

The Gunners boss is expected to strengthen his squad over the summer as he closes in on targets such as centre-half Ben White, midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and playmaker Houssem Aouar.

World Cup winner Petit, who helped Arsenal to the league and FA Cup double during the 1997/98 season, says his former side need players with “character and desire”.

And he highlighted Chelsea star Mason Mount and Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish as the perfect examples, with both currently starring for England at Euro 2020 after impressive campaigns for their respective clubs.

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“When you look at young players like Mason Mount and Jack Grealish, they’re fantastic because, apart from their quality, they show character and desire,” Petit told Metro. “They want to prove they are one of the best players in their position.”

The former midfielder said he saw similar qualities in Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe – but insisted Arsenal needed more players with a winning mentality.

“This is exactly what I want to see at Arsenal, and I see that in Saka, and sometimes in Smith Rowe,” the 50-year-old said.

“But what I want from Arsenal in the transfer market is quality and, more importantly, leadership and personality.

“We want character at Arsenal, players who hate to lose, players who scream in the dressing room when they lose, players who are ready to fight with team-mates when they lose.

“This is exactly what is missing at Arsenal.”

Petit said Arsenal need at least five new additions – starting with a prolific marksman.

“If Arsenal want to be competitive again, they need at least five players with both talent and character,” he added.

“The first thing they need is a proper goalscorer. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a proper goalscorer but he had a terrible time this season. 

“They need wingers too. Arsenal always used to have very good wingers, who could go one-on-one out wide, who could bring speed to the attack, but there are so many positions at Arsenal where they need top players.”

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“I still believe they have very interesting young players but they need players around them to show them the way,” he said.”Because it shouldn’t be their responsibility to take care of the team.”

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