• Premier League

Khedira could help Arsenal win league, says Pires

Sami Khedira was part of the Germany squad that lifted the World Cup trophy this summer © Getty Images

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Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2003-04 hinge on signing Sami Khedira, according to Robert Pires.

Pires, who lifted two league titles with Arsenal and was part of the team that went through the 2003-04 campaign unbeaten, said Arsene Wenger's side were missing a midfield enforcer in the mould of Patrick Vieira.

The Frenchman, now playing for Indian Super League team Goa FC, said he believed Germany international Khedira's arrival from Real Madrid would address that problem.

"[Wenger] needs a big player in the middle - like Viera, strong, tall - because this position is very important for the balance between attack and defence," Pires said. "The quality is there [for Arsenal to challenge], but you need more. Maybe they have an opportunity with Khedira in the January window. He played very well with Germany.

"My advice is that if he can buy Khedira he can be the Vieira [figure], [providing] more aggression in the middle.

"He has a lot of experience. When you play in the middle you need experience, especially when your midfield is young like Arsenal's."

Khedira, who was part of the Germany squad that won the World Cup in Brazil this summer, is under contract with Madrid until the end of the season, and it is thought an offer of around £10 million would tempt the Spanish giants to sell.

Pires said that although the Gunners were nine points behind Chelsea, who beat them 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last season, he felt they could still lift the title.

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