GUNNER BECOME LOSERS
Petit: Arsenal must flex financial muscle or face very bleak future
EMMANUEL PETIT has warned that Arsenal are in danger of becoming known as “losers”.
And the former midfielder fears the clouds hanging over the Gunners are only going to get darker if they do not spend big this summer.
Arsenal face another of his former clubs, Chelsea, in Saturday’s FA Cup Final at Wembley. Although he feels “more of a Gooner than a Blue”, the Frenchman is worried that the outlook is bleak for Arsene Wenger’s side at Wembley and beyond.
Petit (above) won the 1998 FA Cup with Arsenal before losing the 2002 showpiece to the Gunners when he was at Stamford Bridge. He said: “My relationship with the club and fans at Arsenal was better than during my time at Chelsea.
“I hope that Arsenal win, but I am not sure now, with Laurent Koscielny being suspended. To have missed out on the Champions League is not the best way to prepare for an FA Cup Final. It’s hard for Arsenal, as Chelsea will have been celebrating winning the title and they will want to confirm the Double. It was the last game for John Terry as well – it’s been a sunshine couple of days for Chelsea and clouds for Arsenal.
“I know Arsenal have won two FA Cups recently and there may be a third to come, but they need to spend money to go to the next level.
“They are in danger of having a loser image. I’ve watched every Arsenal game this season and been frustrated by some players’ mentality.
“They need at least six players with a winning mentality.” Arsenal face a battle just to hold onto star names like Alexis Sanchez (right) and Mesut Ozil. But Petit added: “Some players have been at the club for ages and there is never a surprise from them. They are sitting on fiveyear contracts at Arsenal, on big money, but you have to do more.
“Look at Chelsea, look at how Antonio Conte has come in and instilled a winning mentality and encouraged his players to trust their team-mates. That hasn’t happened at Arsenal this season.” For full interview, go to bwin.com/ en/news/football-betting