Arsenal legend launches scathing rant: Two stars 'not good enough'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 2 Jan 2025 12:08 CST
• 3 min read

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit believes that there are several Gunners players who are not good enough to challenge for the Premier League title.

The current campaign has not been smooth sailing for Arsenal. A dip in form and results earlier in the season allowed Liverpool to widen the gap at the top of the standings and, with the Reds still having a game in hand, the distance could prove insurmountable.

Arsenal have won three Premier League games on the bounce, but it would take an almighty collapse from Liverpool for the Gunners to better their previous two runners-up finishes this season.

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So far, the north London giants have been able to cope with the long-term injury to talismanic attacker Bukayo Saka, but Mikel Arteta has not ruled out dipping into the January market for potential 'opportunities.'

Arsenal players not good enough

However, it would require some statement signings rather than just 'opportunities' to turn Arsenal into credible title challengers. At least that is the impression one gets when listening to the ravings of former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit.

The Frenchman, notorious for his controversial opinions, believes that Arsenal lack the quality to win the Premier League, with attackers Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus singled out for criticism.

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"When you look at how Saka has improved, year after year, and become one of the best players in the Premier League, I think: when is that going to come from Martinelli?

"He is not the only one, Gabriel Jesus is the same," Petit continued. "He is playing well lately, but that is not enough. I am sorry, but that is not enough. Some Arsenal players are simply not good enough to challenge for the title. That is my opinion.

"But since Arteta has no options, he has to put them in. I am tired and fed up of seeing some of these players sign contract extensions for four or five years. On what basis? On what basis?"