Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has said that Arsene Wenger needs to win the Premier League to repair his 'damaged image' and has also labelled his compatriot "stingy".

Petit, who won the league with the Gunners in 1998, insists that Wenger's lack of spending in the transfer market is also affecting his reputation as the North London side have not won a league title in over a decade.

"I think his image was a bit damaged - for a decade now they have not been title contenders," Petit told Omnisport.

"They need to pound the table and send the message 'we are not dead yet, we are still here, we can win against the leaders and pass them'. Indeed, Arsene needs to win the Premier League this season or do well in Champions League.

"The other issue is that he is stingy despite the fact that Arsenal is a very rich club - the revenues are reaching the level of the top European clubs. They are just below the €500 million mark. So yes, they are close to the clubs who dominate European football. So it is all good in terms of finance. It would be good for Arsenal to recruit a centre-back and a holding midfielder."

The Gunners have not won the Premier League since they went unbeaten for a full season in 2003-04.