Emmanuel Petit, a former member of the French national team and a World Cup winner, recently spoke to Compare.bet in an exclusive interview. Petit discussed his thoughts on his former clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as the prospects of young players like Kylian Mbappe.
Petit believes that Arsenal should look to strengthen their midfield by signing Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich. He suggests that these two players would provide the experience and quality that Arsenal currently lacks in the center of the park. Petit, a long-time supporter of the Gunners, also acknowledges that Arsenal won't win the Champions League this season. However, he adds that if they do manage to achieve this feat, he would publicly apologize for doubting their ability.
The interview provides a summary of Petit's views, with the data sourced from Compare.bet. Petit's insights into Arsenal's potential signings and their chances in the Champions League offer an interesting perspective on the club's future.
Moving on to Chelsea, Petit praises their performance in the recent 4-4 draw against Manchester City. He highlights the team's resilience and determination, stating that they demonstrated a great deal of character and dedication throughout the game. He believes that this match showcased the best of what Chelsea has to offer and is a testament to their progress this season.
Petit also focuses on the attacking prowess of Chelsea and how they have improved in recent games. Scoring eight goals in their last two matches against Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City, Petit believes that Chelsea is steadily becoming a formidable force. He suggests that their performance against Manchester City, in particular, was exceptional and a sign that they are on the right track.
Discussing individual players, Petit praises the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Raheem Sterling. He commends their maturity and ability to take responsibility, citing their performances against Manchester City as evidence of their talent. Petit is particularly impressed with Hudson-Odoi's composure during a penalty situation and Sterling's continuous threat throughout the game. He believes that if Sterling maintains this level of performance, he should be included in the England national team for the upcoming European Championship.
While acknowledging the abundance of talented wingers in England, Petit argues that Sterling offers something unique with his ability to play on either side of the pitch. He suggests that Sterling's versatility and unmatched qualities would be an asset to the national team. Petit encourages Sterling to remain patient and maintain his current drive and level of play throughout the season.
Petit also shares his admiration for Brighton player Tariq Lamptey, who he believes would be a valuable addition to the Arsenal lineup. He praises Lamptey's intelligence, technical ability, and shooting quality, affirming that he would thrive in Mikel Arteta's system.
Moving on to Arsenal's midfield, Petit discusses the role of Declan Rice and his importance to the team. He believes that Rice's primary task is to provide balance to the squad and win back possession for the team. Petit highlights the fact that last season, Rice was played in a more advanced position similar to Granit Xhaka's role. However, Petit argues that Rice's true potential lies in the deep-lying playmaker position, where he can utilize his exceptional ball control and distribution skills.
Addressing the issue of injuries, Petit raises concerns over Thomas Partey's recurring injury problems. He cites the Ghanaian midfielder's age as a contributing factor, suggesting that it further emphasizes Arsenal and Arteta's need to strengthen their squad. Petit believes that Arsenal struggles to find suitable replacements when key players are injured, whereas Manchester City, for example, can afford to lose four to five players without significantly weakening their team. He suggests that it may be time for Matteo Guendouzi to leave Arsenal but emphasizes the importance of wisely investing in a replacement midfielder in the January transfer window.
Petit then delves into Arsenal's transfer strategy, stating that the team needs experienced players who know how to win and have big-match experience. While acknowledging the desire to sign young players with potential, Petit argues that adding seasoned professionals is crucial for Arsenal's current phase. He asserts that if he were part of Arsenal's management, he would target two major signings - Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. Petit suggests that these Bayern Munich players possess incredible skill, experience, and may be open to a new challenge.
Petit also discusses other potential additions to Arsenal, such as Douglas Luiz and John McGinn. He expresses his admiration for McGinn's consistent performance and versatility, stating that the Scottish midfielder has been severely underrated. In Petit's opinion, Kimmich and Goretzka would be the perfect additions to Arsenal's squad, helping them bridge the gap with Manchester City.
Regarding Arsenal's chances of winning the Champions League this season, Petit believes that it is unlikely. While he hopes that Arsenal can make a deep run in the competition, he asserts that winning the tournament is still a distant goal due to their lack of experience at this level.
Lastly, Petit shares his thoughts on the future of Kylian Mbappe. He mentions that Mbappe has expressed a desire not to play as a number nine, which makes it difficult to predict his future destination. Petit rules out France and Italy due to financial constraints and doesn't see Germany as a likely option either. Thus, he speculates that the Premier League could be the only viable destination for the young French superstar. Petit suggests that Mbappe might join one of the top clubs in the Premier League rather than Real Madrid, emphasizing the financial pull and competitive nature of the English league.
Overall, Petit provides valuable insights into the current state of Arsenal and Chelsea, the potential moves they could make in the transfer market, and the prospects of young talents like Kylian Mbappe. His experience and expertise in the game make his views worth considering when analyzing the future of these clubs and players.