Arsene Wenger’s side are in the midst of an injury crisis, with central midfielders Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin among those sidelined, and Pires believes Wanyama is the right man to shore things up in the middle of the park. Speaking to Kenyan journalists in Nairobi, Pires 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.”

However Victor Wanyama spoke exclusively to soka25east.com from his base in the UK and he was forthright about Pires views “As an Arsenal Legend i respect Pires views but again lets remember the dynamics are completely different on the ground a player cannot take himself to another club to be signed just like that ”

“Its always upon a club to make a move for a player and not vice versa and i would not like to be caught in the bad situation like in August so as per now i am concentrating on my football at Southampton seriously and treating sentiments just as sentiments.Its upon anyone who wants anything to do with me to talk directly to my team that is when it can be done”Wanyama told soka25east.com

In August Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino sought to sign Wanyama a player he signed from Celtic but manager Ronald Koeman could hear nothing about the move saying Wanyama had to stay.It remains to be seen what will happen at the January transfer window but after the occurence in August Wanyama would not like to find himself in the same predicament.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com