'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has sent a warning to Gunners manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have popped up as a title challenger over the last two seasons. They secured a runners-up finish in the 2022-23 term with 84 points before finishing second with 89 points last season.
During a chat with betting website BetVictor, Petit claimed that Arsenal have a good chance of lifting the title this season. He said (h/t GOAL):
"I see Arsenal growing step-by-step, but they need to add a couple more players in order to reach City's level because their squad rotation is so good. Some of [the north London outfit's] big players looked physically and mentally exhausted towards the back end of last season. I don't think City will be as strong this season."
Petit, who made 118 appearances for the Gunners as a player, added:
"I see them getting stronger and the gap reducing. I think this is the season where they will win another trophy under Mikel Arteta. If Arteta wants the players to trust and follow him, then he has to win something."
Opining on the dangers of Arteta not winning the title, Petit concluded:
"You cannot convince the players that you are going to achieve more and be even more competitive every season if you never win anything. If you don't win silverware, you can lose players. This season will be Arteta's most important at Arsenal so far."
Arteta, who is a former Manchester City assistant manager, has helped the Gunners win a FA Cup trophy and two Community Shield trophies.
Emmanuel Petit hails Arsenal's Mikel Arteta
Speaking to BetVictor, Emmanuel Petit compared Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. He said (h/t GOAL):
"Guardiola is the main man but Arteta has shown over the past few seasons that he's here to stay and he wants to win the Premier League. You can see the rage and the passion on the touchline. He gives the players ambition and vision and the [players are] willing to follow him. Guardiola has been exactly like that at City for the past few seasons, and now Arteta is doing it at Arsenal."
Arteta, who will turn 43 next year, has guided the north London club to 140 wins, 34 draws, and 57 defeats in 231 games in all competitions.
The Gunners will take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their 2024-25 Premier League opening encounter at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
