Former midfielder Emmanuel Petit has claimed that Carlo Ancelotti is the perfect candidate for the managerial position at Arsenal.

While the Italian is available after recently being sacked by Napoli, reports have suggested that the 60-year-old is not a top contender to replace Unai Emery.

However, Petit feels that the Gunners board should provide the ex-Chelsea boss with the opportunity to return to the Premier League.

The Frenchman told The Mirror: "In this period of the season, it's not easy to find a manager, a good one. Most of them are already working.

"But we've seen in the past few days that Ancelotti has been fired from Napoli, so it's one of those that, when you see that kind of profile on the market, you must ask yourself the question, 'Is he the good one?'

"Ancelotti would be, right now, the perfect answer for Arsenal. It's very rare to see a top manager like him ­getting fired in the ­middle of the season.

"It's a coincidence and sometimes destiny tries to show you the way to go and you have to be open to it. He is one of the top managers in the world, he's available and he's on the market."

After succumbing to a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, the Gunners sit in ninth position in the Premier League table.