Arsenal signing Rabiot could give them their next Petit

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Arsenal have been linked with a summer swoop for Paris Saint-Germain star Adrien Rabiot.

According to The Mirror, the Gunners are keeping an eye on the Frenchman, who is set to leave the Parc des Princes for nothing when he becomes a free agent.

Rabiot was expected to move in January after being banished from the first-team by Thomas Tuchel over his contract situation, but a move did not materialise.

Apparently Unai Emery is keen to work with his former player, who was supposedly being tracked by Barcelona.

The Catalans will welcome Frenkie de Jong in the summer, suggesting that Arsenal may now have an advantage in the race for Rabiot.

The next Petit?

Were Arsenal to successfully beat the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool to Rabiot, then it could see them boast a 2019 version of former star Emmanuel Petit.

Petit represented Arsenal for three seasons between 1997-2000 and was a mainstay in Arsene Wenger’s side before leaving for Barcelona.

There are clear similarities between Rabiot and Petit that are not just limited to their country of birth and playing position.

Rabiot is a disciplined technician just as Petit was. The now 48-year-old was also blessed with an excellent range of passing, something Rabiot is already famed for.

Prime Petit was physically very similar to how Rabiot is now; tall and elegant on the ball – although the ex-Gunner possessed a bit more bite.

Signing Rabiot on a free would make a lot of sense for Arsenal, who reportedly have a budget of just £40 million going into the summer window according to The Mirror.