Robert Pires tells Arsenal to sign this Premier League star in January

Robert Pires has urged Arsene Wenger to consider a January transfer swoop for Southampton’s Victor Wanyama.

The Gunners have been linked with a host of players in recent weeks as the mid-season transfer window approaches.

Arsenal are set to be without first-choice defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin for the next few months after the Frenchman suffered a serious knee injury during the 2-1 loss to Norwich last month.

Former Arsenal star Pires admits that he is a keen admirer of Wanyama and would love to see the 24-year-old complete a transfer to Emirates Stadium next month.

Pires is quoted as saying by Metro: “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.”

Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon after beating Sunderland 3-1 at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are set to return to Champions League action with a trip to Olympiacos on Wednesday night as they look to book their place in the knockout phase of Europe’s elite club competition.