Emmanuel Petit launches scathing attack on Arsenal ‘babies’

Daniel Storey
Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud (L) celebrates with Arsenal's English midfielder Theo Walcott and Arsenal's German-born Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac (R) after scoring their fouth goal during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Benfica at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 29, 2017, the game is one of four matches played over two days for the Emirates Cup. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal players who he believes act like babies.

Arsenal have been thrust into crisis earlier than normal this season, after two rotten results and performances against Stoke and Liverpool. That was combined with a quiet transfer window during which the club actually made profit.

Petit believes that too many players within the squad give themselves an easy ride, and are not prepared to fight for what matters.

“When I see them play – and I see them a lot – they seem to play ­without motivation,” Petit says.

“The blame is put on Arsene, but I cannot see that it is all down to him. Why should it be?” Because he’s their manager?

“Why should a player need motivating to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, in one of the best stadiums in the world?

“Some of them do not seem to know what it means to wear that Arsenal shirt.

“Their image from last ­season was that many players looked so disinterested. They get good money to play for a club like Arsenal. Yet, so few of them look happy and ­motivated. How can that be?

“Maybe they should take a step back and ask themselves what they can give to the club. Not what the club can give to them.

“Someone should sit them down and tell them not to act like babies and kids. They should be proud of wearing that Arsenal shirt.