Arsenal legend Ray Parlour urges Arsene Wenger to sign Morgan Schneiderlin in January

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has urged Arsene Wenger to sign Manchester United midfield target Morgan Schneiderlin in January.

The French international has long been on the Gunners' radar, while their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also in the frame for his signature. In addition to this, United have now joined the race in signing the Southampton midfielder.

The Emirates club lack depth and quality in the defensive midfield position and the Arsenal legend believes the addition of Schneiderlin to the Gunners' squad will bolster their midfield.

"Morgan Schneiderlin - I'd definitely sign him," Parlour told talkSPORT.

"I watched him against Chelsea and he was fantastic just in front of the back four. He always wanted the ball and was always available but he also got stuck in and won the ball back in vital situations when Chelsea were attacking."

Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Saints in the last league fixture. The latest league loss has seen them sit sixth in the table with 33 points from 20 games, three points behind fourth place Southampton.

Parlour believes Arsenal will have a tough task to acquire the services of Schneiderlin in the mid-season transfer window as Southampton are looking to finish the season in top four.

"He would be perfect for my old team Arsenal, absolutely, whether you can get him or not [I don't know] because Southampton are in a very good position at the moment, they don't want to let any of their players go at least until the end of the season," the Arsenal legend concluded.

Meanwhile, any move from Arsenal, United and Tottenham for Schneiderlin's services this month is unlikely to take shape after the French midfielder revealed that he will not leave St Mary's Stadium in January.

"It's always difficult to leave in January. I think I'll finish the season at Southampton and we'll see what will happen next," Schneiderlin told Telefoot.

"I don't set my mind on these things anymore. What should happen will happen. Since this summer, I learned that you should never think that you're gone before you actually did."