Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has explained what he doesn’t like about Mikel Arteta, just days before the Gunners’ crunch match against Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
On Sunday, April 19, Arteta’s Arsenal side can all but secure the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years with a positive result at the Etihad against Pep Guardiola’s in-form Manchester City.
Before a ball is kicked, Arsenal sit top of the Premier League by six points, having played a game more than City.
Assuming City win their game in hand, this would mean the 10-time English champions would be three points behind Arsenal with six matches remaining.
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If they draw at home against Arsenal, the gap would stay the same, but a win would put both teams level.
Despite still having a healthy buffer between themselves and City, the Emirates has been a nervous place in recent weeks, which was apparent when the Gunners lost 2–1 at home to Bournemouth last weekend.
Arteta’s side also limped to a dull 0–0 draw (1–0 win on aggregate) against Sporting CP this week to ensure their progression to a Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid.
But before turning their attention to their European commitments, Arsenal’s players have a Premier League title to win, although many ex-players believe City are now in control.
Petit slams Arteta's body language
Former France international and Premier League winner Petit has revealed that he doesn’t like Arteta’s body language in recent weeks, describing the Spaniard as “nervous”.
"If they don't win the title from here, Arsenal players will be traumatised forever,” Petit told Andy’s Bet Club.
"I don't really like the temperament of Mikel Arteta on the bench sometimes. His body language — I don’t like it. It's the same thing I've seen with Unai Emery at times. He looks nervous, very tense.
"I can understand that because when you are close to being in a Champions League semi-final, it's so important. Two years in a row, you are leading the Premier League table.
"So, I can understand the way you react. You are very passionate, you have this desire to win something, but the fact is that Arteta has never won something important.
"I said it a couple of weeks ago, the most difficult trophy in your career is your first one. Look what happened to Paris Saint-Germain, look what happened with so many teams. The first trophy is the most important because when you open the door, you know you can open the door. And Arteta never opened the door as a player.”
Following Sunday’s clash, Arsenal face Newcastle and Fulham at home on April 25 and May 2 before they travel to relegation-threatened West Ham eight days later.
The Gunners will then take on Burnley at the Emirates in the season’s penultimate round of fixtures before a trip to Crystal Palace on the final day.
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Mikel Arteta
Luke Davies