Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Grow up, Gunners
Legend Petit: Blame is on Wenger, but players acting like babies. It’s not right No motivation, yet they’re well paid and play for one of the world’s biggest clubs
EMMANUEL PETIT has launched a blistering attack on the Arsenal players who have made such a dreadful start to the season.
A nervy 4-3 opening-day win against Leicester was followed by a 1-0 defeat at Stoke and a complete capitulation in the 4-0 hammering at Liverpool.
And while former Gunners enforcer Petit questioned the transfer policy at the Emirates, he believes the players must take a share of the blame, as well as boss Arsene Wenger.
Petit became a World Cup, Premier League and FA Cup winner in 1998 after Wenger brought him to north London from Monaco.
But the ex-France midfielder has questioned the attitude of the current squad compared to the will-to-win of the team in which he starred, providing the steel alongside Patrick Vieira.
Petit, now 46, said: “When I see them play – and I see them a lot – they seem to play without motivation. The blame is put on Arsene, but I cannot see that it is all down to him. Why should it be?
“Why should a player need motivating to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, in one of the best stadiums in the world?
“Some of them do not seem to know what it means to wear that Arsenal shirt.
“Their image from last season was that many players looked so disinterested. They get good money to play for a club like Arsenal. Yet, so few of them look happy and motivated. How can that be?
“Maybe they should take a step back and ask themselves what they can give to the club. Not what the club can give to them.
“Someone should sit them dow n and tell them not to act like babies and kids. They should be proud of wearing that Arsenal shirt.
“No one expects them to win every game. That is not going to happen. But there must be pride in playing for the club. The body language of players puzzles me. Yes, Alexis Sanchez is a warrior. He always plays like that.
“But many of those players do not seem to realise how lucky they are to be at the club. I just want to shake the tree and tell them how fortunate they are to play at a club of Arsenal’s standing. If Arsenal are to achieve anything this season, then the motivation must come back into the team – and the players have to be responsible for that.
“There is only so much the manager can do. But how can these players not motivate themselves to play? How is that possible?
“There will be motivation for some who have the World Cup at the end of the season. But you can not hope to go to a tournament like the World Cup if you are not in good form for your club.
“But that should not be the reason for them to play well. To play for Arsenal should be enough. That is what makes me so very upset.”
And Petit said Wenger faces a severe test of his managerial skills this term after a fifth-place Premier League finish last season and failure to qualify for the Champions League.
“This will be the toughest season he has had,” added Petit. “I was disappointed only two players – Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac – arrived. I thought there would be more.
“I don’t understand the club’s transfer policy. But as much as it is down to Arsene what happens this season, the players also have a huge part to play.”
This will be the toughest season Arsene has had as a manager