Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes that a large number of players could end up leaving the club with their current approach to transfers.

Mikel Arteta's side announced their first arrival of the summer transfer window on Saturday, as Nuno Tavares signed from Benfica for a fee believed to be in the region of £6.8m.

The Gunners have often drawn criticism for a perceived lack of ambition in the transfer market, though, and Aston Villa are thought to be testing their resolve over highly-rated playmaker Emile Smith Rowe.

Now, Petit has expressed concern over Arsenal's ability to retain players, telling Metro: "He [Smith Rowe] will have had some questions in his mind and I hope Arsenal gave him the answers he was expecting in terms of the transfer market and ambitions for next season.

"If this season is the same season we've seen from Arsenal for the last couple of years, forget it. They're going to lose so many players at the end of the season."

Arsenal are also expected to announce the arrival of Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht in the coming days, while talks are thought to be ongoing over a move for Brighton & Hove Albion's Ben White.