Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown has urged new Gunners boss Unai Emery to bring Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti to the club this summer.

Emery, who took charge of Arsenal earlier this week, managed Verratti in the French capital last season.

Keown has said that his former club desperately need players who can "dig in, battle and scrap", and has identified Italy midfielder Verratti as the perfect summer arrival.

"The fans want to see a team that can dig in, battle and scrap," Keown told the Daily Mail. "Emery needs to bring in a player like Marco Verratti, who he managed at Paris Saint-Germain, to instil those qualities in midfield."

Verratti, who has long been linked with a move to Barcelona, scored twice and registered seven assists in 38 appearances for PSG during the 2017-18 campaign.