Mark Lawrenson: 'Arsenal should sign Christian Benteke'

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has urged Arsenal to sign Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke in January.

The Belgium forward has endured a difficult second season in the Premier League, but the Match of the Day pundit thinks that a move to the Emirates would be an ideal move to help the Gunners land the Premier League title.

Lawrenson told The Mirror: "It has to be a new striker [in the January transfer window] and there is an obvious candidate staring the Gunners in the face – Aston Villa's Christian Benteke.

"Benteke would give Arsenal something they don't have. He is a wrecking ball If you look at the strikers in the 16 Champions League teams left, not many of them are similar to him.

"They are short, sharp types whereas Benteke is built like a heavyweight boxer."

Arsene Wenger's side host Cardiff City on New Year's Day.