Emmanuel Petit has called for a serious change in personnel at Arsenal if the Gunners are serious about turning their fortunes around.
Mikel Arteta won them the FA Cup last season and they strengthened their team in the summer, hoping to make a return to the top four.
But things haven’t been as expected with most of their current players underperforming.
Petit has watched the Gunners struggle to get results and he says when he looks at the older players in the team, it’s as if they are on vacation.
He says they might still be ambitious, but they don’t seem to have what it takes to win big games.
He then urged the club to get rid of half the players at their disposal at the moment when the transfer window reopens.
He said as quoted by Sun Sports: “When I look at the older players in the team, it’s like they think it’s a retreat football club, somewhere you just go for a vacation.
“They have ambition, but I don’t really expect them to win big games anymore.
“If you took away the name ‘Arsenal’ and looked at that group of players… average.
“At the end of the season, if I’m Arsenal, if I’m Arteta, if I’m on the board, to be honest with you, I think my main concern is getting half of the dressing room out. Honestly.
“I like the young players, but they need to be surrounded by the likes of Lee Dixon and Tony Adams, those personalities.
“It’s a simple science but if there’s one thing I’ve learnt as a footballer, it’s that you become a better player when you play with better players!”
Mikel Arteta added Willian to his team and also renewed the contract of David Luiz.
With reports linking him with a move for Sergio Aguero, it seems he loves to have experienced players in his team.
I so wish players the likes of Petit, Pires or even Vieira, who has struggled to find his way in the managerial realm, had the acumen required to come and resurrect our once-envied organization…that said, I agree in principle with Petit’s assessment, problem is with Arteta in charge, much like with Wenger, those with strong personalities are either neutered or summarily removed from the equation
‘it seems he loves to have experienced players in his team.’
You mean the same ones that appear to be at a retreat football club!
Petit should know better if only it were that easy to get rid of underperforming well paid players!by the way PSG are 2 nil up against Bayern and it’s snowing quite a bit!
Loved seeing Neuer nutmegged (can’t stand him!)
Never liked him either one the commentators referred to him as the best GK in the world he was but no longer is!
A clear out of a dozen players in one window is a great idea something suggested on JA for years.
But underperforming players on vast Arsenal contracts don’t want to move and know how to run down their contracts to get a big salary at their next club.
Our recruiting has been diabolical.
Auba 60m Laca 50 mill Pepe 72 m when we can sign Martinelli for 7 mill. Mustafi 30m Socritis 25m
Gabriel 25 mill Saliba 27m when we signed Holding Bielk and Mavro for 2m.Then we go and give Cedic and Willian reirement packages when we already have Niles and Nelson for free.
Guendouzie at 5m is a steal but he is on loan.
How about we only sign academy players from now on giving them 2 year contracts and pay them 20 k p/w with tough performance clauses.
Something gotta change.
But if we win the EL Arteta will say I am completely satisfied with my players and promptly go out and buy Haaland for 200m who will then spend the next 2 years in the medical room 😔
Well, that is why the Deadwood Stage has been making regular stops at Arsenal for the past 5 years. The trouble is, every time we have a clear out, we go and buy another load of Deadwood. This is why we need a good scouting team, not a “tame agent” selecting for us. I cannot emphasize enough, we need to buy one or two top class players each window, instead of a bunch of cheaper players who have not or could not make it at another club.
I’m sorry I laughed when I read your post JW, but such true words. We just love deadwood!
Well, my main concern is, I do not trust the current regime to scout and recruit the other half of the dressing room. Besides, it’s cheaper and more cost effective to bring in a new coach, instead of firing half of the squad.
There are only three people that should be shown the exit door. It’s Arteta, Willian, and Xhaka. Keep all youngsters ( Seliba, Maitland-Niles, Nelson, Gouendouzi, Martinelli, Willock, and Balogun)
And get us relegated.
Over simplistic !
Was a time I said same here.
Sell Aubameyang
sell Lacazette
sell Xhaka
sell Pepe
Sell Willian
Even Sell Ceballos..
Somebody asked “How can you sell all ur Top players??”
Now Mr Emmanuel Petit who won the EPL n FA cup in 1997/1998 with us have said it..
Those players I mentioned aren’t top players by the standard of football measurement..
But Rookie Arteta n some Fans see them as great players..
For Arsenal, our talented players are Saka, Martinelli, Rowe Smith, AMN, Nelson, Tierney n Rob Holding..
Next season, this players should b ones running d Show!!
Also we should still go for Wilfred Zaha!! Has EPL experience..
Also we should purchase Andre Silva frm Frankfurt..
Boy’s a Striker monster!!
With Balogun as Back up..
Yep, should have been done last year and last summer, but hey.
Not sure he reffers of Auba who just got extended and Captain for that.
Elneny, ceoares, laca, xhaka, Luiz, Willian, Ceballos, Pepe, Mari, Torreira, useless new keeper.
That’s a full team, laca must be sold but Arteta may just do as last summer.
Leno, young keeper, bellerin + a RB able to compete & bench him, (ceaores does not).
Same on Left flank, it is none at all….
Keep Ogendaar, Willock, Rowe, AMN, Partey, Holding, Chambo, Tierny, Auba, Nketiah, Martinelli, Nelson, Bellogun, Saka, Gabriel.
Just bring in Koulibaly and call it a day.
We must make a choice, keep young talent and play them.
Must get rid of many players to do so..
Auba played all season on LW is just unreal move, his worst season ever.
Let’s not lose sight of reality; he went from Golden Boot playing as CF, to no goals playing as LW..
He is one of Europe’s top striker when playing at his position.
Every top club must not believe this. Like playing Lewondovdky as LW, or Harry Kane, Suarez or a Cavani, or Haaland; as LW.
Half of a this season was an eternity, but we in April.
All i hope is to see our best team on pitch, with best players at their best position.
We have them in this squad to win every games lefr….
That’s about half of squad.