A lot has been made about Arsenal’s performances this season and former midfielder Emmanuel Petit has been having his say on proceedings.
Petit was, of course, one of the stars of the Arsene Wenger years. Alongside Patrick Vieira in midfield, Petit is widely recognised by Arsenal fans as one of their best midfielders of the Premier League era.
The Frenchman effectively won it all. Indeed, he even scored in the World Cup final in 1998, breaking through to seal the deal against Brazil in Paris.
Of course, Petit knows a thing or two about playing in midfield. And he’s been discussing Arsenal’s midfield on the Planet Premier League podcast this week.
Emmanuel Petit shares the big difference in Arsenal’s midfield
Last season we saw the likes of Granit Xhaka in midfield for Arsenal. The Swiss star actually enjoyed a superb campaign but was allowed to move on in the summer.
Of course, we know that Mikel Arteta then went and brought in Kai Havertz and Declan Rice in the summer, while Jorginho only arrived in the January window of 2023.
And for Emmanuel Petit, there is a big difference this year in the midfield area thanks to one player.
Declan Rice ‘can do whatever he wants’ in Arsenal’s midfield
As we know, Arsenal paid a hefty £100m plus sum for Declan Rice last summer.
But right now, it looks value for money and according to Petit, he has made all the difference.
“I think it’s a lot things you know, the link between each other. But the fact Declan Rice has just arrived from West Ham I think it changes a lot of things. I had a big respect for Xhaka but I think Rice is a different player. I mean tactically as well.
“As a holding midfielder he can do whatever he wants but he protects the central defenders well you know. And I think the back four as well, they’ve learned so much from last season. Declan Rice with Saliba and Gabriel, I think they are one of the best partnerships in the Premier League,” Petit said.
Impressing everyone
It’s safe to say that Emmanuel Petit is not the first person to point out how good Declan Rice has been.
Pundit Michael Brown has already said he could be the difference when Arsenal face Man City this weekend.
Sam Allardyce has also praised Rice, suggesting people forget he was actually a defender.
Meanwhile, after captaining England this week, Gareth Southgate took time out to laud the Arsenal man as well.
Rice, then, looks like he is well on his way to becoming as revered as Petit in that Arsenal midfield.
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