Arsenal icon Emmanuel Petit has made one strong claim about Mikel Arteta in reaction to the Gunners’ recent form......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The season has started strongly for Arsenal, who remain unbeaten in all competitions after nine games.
Most recently, Arteta’s side got the better of Paris Saint-Germain, beating the Parisians 2-0 at the Emirates in the Champions League.
There’s a sense that the Gunners are putting together something special this term, with major silverware on the squad’s mind.
Emmanuel Petit compares Mikel Arteta and Arsene Wenger
Having already played the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City away from home in the league, Arsenal have passed three challenging tests on the road without suffering defeat.
The Gunners sit just one point off the top spot as a result of their impressive start, with the path laid out for another Premier League title charge.
There have been signs that Arteta’s side have progressed even further from last term already, with the draw against Man City at the Etihad certainly sending a message to the league.
Speaking in reaction to Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against the champions, club icon Emmanuel Petit made a bold claim about Arteta’s style and that of Arsene Wenger.
“I think every time we had to play a game with Wenger, the target was to win the game, every single time. At home, away as well,” Petit explained on talkSPORT, before outlining what the Spaniard does ‘better’ than Wenger.
“For me, that wouldn’t suffice if Arsene was in charge for the game against Man City. He would ask us to win that game.
“I think Arteta is better than Arsene in terms of management for being ruthless with his players. This is something for me that is a huge difference.”
The World Cup winner then gave an example of Arteta showing ruthlessness off the pitch at Arsenal, noting the ousting of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“For example, Aubameyang, it doesn’t matter if you’re a huge player or the captain if you don’t follow the rules, the vision he has on the pitch, the unity, then you’re out of the team.”
Arsenal have matured significantly
One of the reasons that Arteta’s current squad is so strong is undoubtedly the unity, as Petit drew attention to when detailing his comparison between the manager and Wenger.
It’s clear to see why Petit sees an upgrade at Arsenal in the adaptability sense, with Wenger’s must-win approach not always the suitable option.
Of course, it was a fair ask for some of the squads that the Frenchman oversaw in North London, but not so much for others, which emphasises Petit’s comments.
Arteta seems to have read the room in the Premier League in recent years and as a result, has shifted Arsenal’s focus on a game-to-game basis, knowing attractive and forward-thinking football isn’t always the answer.
Whilst keeping Arsenal’s identity, the Spaniard has realised what it will take to usurp City, with measures being taken to win the league, rather than to perhaps overcommit to win every game.