"That's what I've been worried about for ages" - Emmanuel Petit explains why he believes Arsenal won't win the PL
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has explained why the Gunners won't win the Premier League this season. The Gunners are unbeaten in three games ahead of their trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta's side have come close to breaking their 20-year Premier League drought sinde their historic 'Invincibles' triumph under Arsene Wenger in 2003-04.
In the 2022-23 campaign, the Gunners led for a record 248 days before running out of steam. Last season, they mounted an even sterner challenge, keeping the title race alive till the final day before falling two points behind Manchester City, who won an unprecedented four-peat.
They have started the current campaign well, winning their opening two games without conceding - a first in 52 years - before a 1-1 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion just before the international break.
However, Petit reckons the Gunners would fall short of the title again due to their lack of squad depth amidst a new 36-team UEFA Champions League canpaign to contend with as well.
"City started poorly (last year), and they were missing big players during the season, but they won the title," Petit told talkSPORT (as per Mirror).
"I'm not sure that can be possible for Arsenal in terms of quality and quantity of players. That's what I've been worried about for ages, the rotation of the team."
He added:
"Now they are back in the Champions League again. Playing every single three days, international duty as well with your country, that means you need to get rotation in your team.
"When you get important players injured, what's the solution for Arteta? He's got players, but not in the same position and who cannot bring the same qualities on the pitch."
Arteta's side are goalless at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the break as they seek to maintain their unbeaten start to the new campaign.
"We are going in the right direction" - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is pleased with the progress of his side after penning a contract extension that will keep him at the Emirates till 2027.
Since assuming charge in late 2019, the former Gunners midfielder has won an FA Cup and Community Shield and successive Premier League runner-up finishes.
Ahead of the trip across the city for the season's first North London derby, Arteta said in a press conference (as per the BBC):
"We are going in the right direction. We have made some huge steps, and we have a lot still to make. Due to the hunger - from the ownership to the board and all the players and staff here - that is the aim and objective (to win the Premier League)."
The Gunners are next in action at Atalanta on Thursday in their UEFA Champions League opener before travelling to City in the Premier League three days later.