Arsenal legend Robert Pires urges club to sign Victor Wanyama

Arsenal is in the midst of an injury crisis, particularly to its midfield, and former Highbury hero Robert Pires believes he has the solution.

"I know (Victor) Wanyama," he told journalists in the Southampton midfielder's homeland of Kenya. "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."

Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, and Mikel Arteta are among the players packed into the Colney treatment room, all of whom are capable of dictating the tempo deep in the Gunners' midfield.

It is widely believed that manager Arsene Wenger will look for replacements in the January transfer window, with Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender and Paris Saint-Germain's Adrien Rabiot linked, but Pires wants his old side to bid for Wanyama, whom he believes could become one of the best.

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

Wenger is currently focused on his squad's task in midweek. Arsenal travels to Olympiacos in Wednesday's Champions League action, needing a win, and for Bayern Munich to trump Dinamo Zagreb if the club is to progress to the round of 16.