Mikel Arteta told two key Arsenal stars are ‘not good enough’

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta during an Arsenal training session (Picture: Getty)

Emmanuel Petit has named two key Arsenal players who are ‘not good enough to fight for the Premier League title’.

The Gunners have come desperately close to winning their first title since 2004 over the past two seasons, finishing narrowly behind record-breaking champions Manchester City.

Man City are enduring a dismal season, slipping to sixth in the Premier League, but Arsenal still look set to miss out on the title as Liverpool have stormed eight points clear going into 2025.

Petit believes his former club Arsenal do not have the squad depth as Liverpool and admits he is growing ‘frustrated’ with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

Martinelli was viewed as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League a few years ago but has stagnated in the eyes of Petit.

Jesus, meanwhile, went through a long barren period in front of goal before scoring five in two games last month.

‘Arsenal looked nervous at the start of the season,’ Petit told Ladbrokes. ‘They made silly mistakes in games and dropped silly points. Easy red cards, you know. This has cost them.

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit (Picture: Getty)

‘But when you lose Martin Odegaard, and you lose Bukayo Saka – your two best players – it’s difficult to handle that. Arsenal have a strong squad, but they don’t have a bench like Liverpool.

‘When you have to pay every three days, and you’re back in the Champions League, and there’s no break during the Christmas period… I was comparing the Liverpool and Arsenal squads recently, in terms of depth, and they’re not in the same world, to be honest.

‘Look at the quality Liverpool have up-front – it’s amazing. It’s amazing how many great players they have in that area.

‘Then, look at Arsenal; if one or two players are missing, then it’s not the same team anymore. For me, this is the main difference.

‘Saka being out for a few weeks is a huge blow – but other players now need to come in, step up, and take on the responsibility.

‘I’ve been waiting for some players to reach a level, and I’m quite frustrated, to be honest, actually. I’m still waiting for them to reach the next level.

‘I’m thinking about Gabriel Martinelli, for example. I’m not happy with Martinelli. He had a good game against Crystal Palace a few days ago, but that’s not enough.

‘When you look at his journey, and how he started in the first-team, around the same time as Saka… when you look at how Saka has improved, year after year, and has become one of the best players in the Premier League, I’m thinking “when is that going to come from Martinelli?”

Gabriel Martinelli has stagnated at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s not the only one; Gabriel Jesus is the same. He’s been playing well, recently, but that’s not enough. I’m sorry, but that’s not enough.

‘If you want to win titles, and you want to compete every season for the best prizes, you need to regularity and consistency in your performances, and you have to take on the responsibility, when your best players are out injured.

‘I don’t see players stepping up, at Arsenal. It’s quite frustrating. I know they want to do their best on the pitch, and they want to give 100%, but that’s not enough.

‘The transfer market is opening soon, and I know that it’s hard to spot good opportunities at this time of the year, but they need to strengthen the team. Definitely.

Gabriel Jesus endured a long barren run in front of goal (Picture: Getty)

‘I’ve been saying it for the last couple of years. What Mikel Arteta has done up to this point has been very good, but now they’re at the limit of it.

‘That means they need to bring in fresh blood, different quality, different options, and new energy.

‘That’s exactly where Liverpool are at right now, and that’s the big problem, and the big difference between the two sides.

‘A few players in that team just aren’t good enough to be fighting for the title. That’s my opinion. But because Arteta doesn’t have options, he has to play with them.

Arsenal were denied the title by Manchester City (Picture: Getty)

‘Honestly, do you think Gabriel Martinelli would get into that Liverpool team? No. So how do you compete with that?

‘Rise up your level. You know, you’ve been at the club for years now. You have the chance to play for one of the best clubs in Europe. Take your responsibility.

‘Or, if you’re not good enough, then the club has to make a decision on you at the end of the season.

‘I’m sorry to say that, but I’m tired, and fed up, of seeing some of these guys signing contract extensions, for four or five years. On what? Based on what?

‘You’re playing for Arsenal – you’re not playing for a mid-table team, you know? That means your expectation has to rise up. Your mentality, everything, you have to bring more.

‘And if you can’t, then that means – for me – you don’t have the talent to stay at Arsenal. I’m sorry to say that.

‘We have seen his quality in patches, but it’s not enough. He is still young, and he can recover quickly, so playing so regularly is not an issue for him. Come on; you have to show more on the pitch.’

Arsenal, who beat Ipswich Town 1-0 last time out, return to Premier League action on Wednesday night against London rivals Brentford.

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