EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal Legend Robert Pires Urges Wenger to Sign Costa Rather Than Draxler

Arsenal legend Robert Pires has told IBTimes UK that he would sign Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa rather than Julian Draxler, claiming that the top priority for the Gunners is signing a striker to help Olivier Giroud up front.

Schalke prodigy Draxler has been recently heavily linked with Arsenal over recent months, with some reports claiming that Arsene Wenger may pay his £38m release clause at the end of the season.

But Pires, who is currently training regularly with Arsenal's first-team, believes the club's main summer target should be a striker and claims that Schalke's demands for Draxler are too high.

"For me signing a striker to help Giroud is the top priority for the summer. I think Wenger will try to sign a striker" Pires said.

Asked whether he would sign a striker like Diego Costa even over a stellar talent like Draxler, Arsenal's former number 7 said. "Yes, we have Cazorla, Podolski... in Draxler's position.

"I do not know Draxler so well, I've only seen him on TV and he looks good. But I think that paying his release clause is too much.

"If Diego Costa's release clause in £32m and Draxler costs around £38m there is no doubt. I would sign Costa. But this is just my opinion. I don't' speak about transfers with Wenger and the Arsenal officials."

Recent reports have claimed that Wenger is also monitoring Alvaro Morata. Asked whether Arsenal should sign a young striker, such as the Real Madrid starlet, as an understudy to Giroud, or a proven first-choice star such as Costa, Pires said: "If Wenger has two forwards he can even play with both up front.

"Liverpool do that with Luis Suarez or Sturridge and when I played we use to play with Henry and Bergkamp up front. Signing Diego Costa would be great news."

Turning to possible alternatives, Pires continued: "I love Benzema, but I know that his signing is just a dream, because it is impossible to lure him from Real Madrid."

Another player who has been linked with Arsenal in recent times is Real Sociedad sensation Antoine Griezmann, a French youngster who many have likened to Pires.

"Griezmann has the perfect profile to play for Arsenal. He is a great player. I follow La Liga weekly and I like him a lot," Pires told IBTimes UK.