Club legend Petit is scathing in Arsenal assessment

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit believes Arsenal’s struggles are down entirely to the characters in the dressing room, rather than manager Arsène Wenger.

The 46-year-old played under his compatriot at both Monaco and Arsenal during his playing days, making 85 appearances in North London and scooping one Premier League title, one FA Cup win, and two Charity Shield triumphs before a move to Barcelona.

Arsenal’s alarming dip in form has seen them fall out of the Champions League and the Premier League title race.

But French World Cup winner Petit insists fans should not be alarmed by talk of dressing room bust-ups – with heated discussions amongst teammates common during the Gunners’ successful era.

“When I was at the club, we had players like Patrick Vieira, Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon – so many real men who hated losing,” he said.

“There were many heated exchanges in our dressing rooms if things didn’t go well. That is what happens when you have winners in the squad.

“If things needed to be said, they said them. I cannot see how that is a problem. The players should have one thought and one ambition – to improve and win every game.

“There are too many average players at Arsenal. The current squad have quality, but they do not have the quality to win important titles.

“There is plenty of skill there and, when things are going well, they can be fantastic to watch. The problem comes when things are not going well.

“They do not have the strength to respond. It has been the same story every season for some time now – and the fans deserve more.

“For me, there are too many Mr Nice Guys there at the moment. When it comes to the big matches, mentally and physically they disappear completely.

“They crash and crash again.”