Petit, a double-winner with Arsenal in 1998 and a World Cup winner with France the same year, has been training with his former club after being released by Chelsea last summer.

Now Wenger is ready to turn to the 34-year-old to plug the midfield gap created by injuries to Brazilian duo Gilberto Silva and Edu, whose future with the club is in doubt.

"It has crossed my mind to help Emmanuel," Wenger said. "He is here to get back to full fitness and find a club.

"It isn't in my mind at the moment to sign him but maybe he could help us for a few months. I haven't ruled it out."

Petit's chances of pulling on an Arsenal shirt once more appear to depend on whether Edu, who is out of contract next summer, fails to sign a new deal by January, when he will be free to talk to other clubs.

"I am just interested in helping him (Petit) find a club where he could play for one or two years and he'll not find that with us," Wenger said. "But I know him, I know he is a great player and if Edu goes ..."