Emmanuel Petit enjoyed a footballing career that anyone should envy.
From playing with Zinedine Zidane to Thiery Henry, Gianfranco Zola to Dennis Bergkamp, Xavi to George Weah. Petit shared the pitch with a plethora of genuine, generational talent.
Before many of us even knew his name he was a champion of France. A French Cup winner. A European conqueror. Petit’s nine seasons with Monaco allowed him to dominate the league.
But he was not done there.
He went on to lift the FA Cup, the Premier League, and, of course, the World Cup in 1998.
His name deceived him. His 6”2 frame was instantly recognisable on the pitch, along with his long, trademark ponytail. He even seemed taller by the way he carried himself; a leader, rich with confidence and composure and power. A truly iron-willed personality.
He enjoyed his best football at Arsenal, working in glorious tandem with a young Patrick Viera. Always abrasive into every tackle. Always first-choice for every header. The generation of today will never truly understand the brilliance and power of this Emmanuel Petit.
He went on to have a short spell at Barcelona, but his heart was in London where he returned after one season. But this time it was Chelsea who was gifted with a ponytail-donning Petit.
Petit has the unique perspective of both sides of London. Red and blue. In this exclusive interview, he talks about Arsenal's title chances, Chelsea’s target signing Rafael Leao and Erling Haaland as a goal machine.
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Arsenal - could they do the unthinkable?
Arsenal are on red-hot form. They stand proudly at the top of the Premier League table, winning eight of their nine games so far.
There is a buzz around North London right now. An almost tangible feeling of excitement and optimism that has not been in the air for some time.
The Emirates Stadium has become a fortress. The players believe. The fans believe. It has been years of 'trusting the process' and being the brunt of every joke.
But no one is laughing now.
However, Petit believes this fine form does not make Arsenal title contenders yet.
"Arsenal have started very well but there’s still a big gap between them and Man City for them to win the title," he said.
"They showed last week against Spurs that they’ve improved so much and the fact they’re scoring goals so early shows their mentality and their motivation.
"It doesn’t matter which team they play against, they still show the same identity and personality. It was a great game against Liverpool as they had to score again and again and again."
The Liverpool game certainly did show character and talent in Arteta's team that has silenced a lot of doubters. But Petit still believes Liverpool were unlucky with the result.
"We all knew Liverpool were an injured beast, but they showed at least they’re still a big team and have big players. I felt it should have been a draw," said Petit.
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Is it too early for Martinelli to go to the World Cup?
One player who has really stepped up a gear this season has been Gabriel Martinelli. He is the type of player that gets you excited when he is on the ball. You can hear the crowd slide to the edge of their seats, and murmur and rustle whilst he has possession because they know what he is capable of. He is magnificent.
And only 21 years of age.
Despite his vein of form, Petit thinks that he is not quite ready to get into a competitive Brazilian squad.
"Brazil played against Tunisia and Ghana and won both games and of course Martinelli wasn’t in the squad. I think it’s too early for him as there are players with more experience who are more efficient than him," he said.
"We’re in the middle of October and the list will be done in early November. He’s having a great season, but is it enough to go to the World Cup? This is Brazil.
"If he keeps on going in the form he’s in, he will be part of it but I think it’s too early."
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Granit Xhaka's comeback story
There was once a time where no Arsenal fan wanted to see Grant Xhaka wear their shirt ever again.
A loose cannon. Littered with red cards. Stripped of captaincy.
In truth, technical ability has never been a problem for Xhaka. He can dictate a game. He can control the flow. But there is a newfound maturity in his game. In a very young squad, he stands as not just a leader but an example. Petit believes much credit should be given to him and Arteta for this turnaround.
"Xhaka is a survivor," he said.
"When I look at his run with Arsenal since he signed - especially during the COVID-19 and he threw his shirt on the floor - everyone thought that was it.
"But he came back and Mikel Arteta is responsible for that in a good way. Xhaka is not a crazy horse on the pitch anymore, he doesn’t make a late challenges to get yellow or red cards, and Arteta has managed him perfectly on the pitch."
Petit marks that Arsenal are playing with spirit and heart. They are having fun whilst playing and that aids to the positive environment around The Emirates currently.
"Xhaka can now make an important pass, score a great goal, but most importantly he has a smile on his face," said Petit.
"I can’t remember the last time that happened and it shows that the fans and his teammates have forgiven him."
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A big transfer window to come
Arsenal's squad is looking fairly strong. They now have a starting line-up that, on this form, could give any team in the league a hard time.
But Petit does see some fragility at the club. If they are wanting to compete with the likes of Manchester City, who have an astonishingly rich squad depth, then they need to search for more recruitments.
"If they are to strengthen I think they need wingers because Saka, Martinelli and Jesus have been great but they have no-one to replace them if they get injured," he said.
"Smith-Rowe is injured, Nketiah just signed a new contract but can he be the next striker if Jesus gets injured? My answer is no.
"All the big teams have big wingers. There’s a few in England that would be my dream for Arsenal. Allan Saint-Maximin would be a great signing. Can you imagine the damage with all the players around him?"
Saint-Maximin fits the profile of Arteta's team. He is a box of tricks. No player in the Premier League has more completed dribbles than him in the past year, nor can anybody match his pace and strength and skill. He would flourish in red.
"Wilfried Zaha of Palace too would be great. But they also need a central midfielder and centre-back as I’m not too sure about Rob Holding," said Petit.
There is one winger in Europe that has taken the eye of many top clubs.
In Italy they call him 'il ragazzo che sorrid' - the boy who smiles.
He is better known as Rafael Leao.
Chelsea have made their intentions very clear. They want him. And Emmanuel Petit believes this would be a massive signing for the blues.
"He’s tall, powerful, fast and physical. He’s got a great ability to score goals as well as anger and ambition. He’d be a good signing," he said.
"If an English club is able to buy him then they should go for it as he will provide a lot of goals and adapt to the league quickly."
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Chelsea's expectations this season
As a club currently in transition, Chelsea were never going to seriously challenge for this year's Premier League title.
The mix of a fan base with high expectations and new owners who are still finding their feet is a dangerous cocktail. But there are promising signs at Stamford Bridge. Graham Potter has got Chelsea playing elegant, flowing football.
But how high should the Chelsea boss be aiming? Petit thinks expectations should remain grounded.
"If the Cyborg [Haaland] doesn’t get injured… there’s still such a big gap. Arsenal are right behind City and Chelsea have great depth and have enough options to do well," he said.
"Chelsea won’t fight for the title, they’ll fight for the Champions League spots.
"A good season would be qualifying for the Champions League and if he can win a title, an FA Cup, or go on a good run in Europe that would be a good season."
Christian Pulisic is one player who is still finding his form. If Potter can get Pulisic to start playing to his potential, then he could be a real difference maker for Chelsea.
But Petit thinks Pulisic needs to earn his place in the squad. To show his hunger. Show his drive.
"You play for Chelsea and the competition is very high. Look at the dressing room, how many international players and quality players are there?" said Petit.
"When he gets on the pitch he needs to show what he can do, and he did that against Wolves."
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Haaland and Mbappe - this generations world beaters
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Two footballers who need no introduction.
The things these two young men are doing is nothing less than remarkable. Record after record broken. Goal after goal scored. Are these two the next big rivalry in the game? The new faces of football? Petit thinks so.
"I thought I had seen everything with Ronaldo and Messi, but then Mbappe and Haaland came and those guys are breaking records as well. They prove there’s no limit to what modern football can produce," he said.
"Haaland has 15 goals already and that’s already double the amount of Harry Kane, who has eight goals."
It is worth noting how good a season Kane is having. Nine games, eight goals and one assist puts him on track to beat the Premier League goal record as well. It is a testament to how good Haaland has been.
No one is talking about Harry Kane when Erling Haaland is around.
And when you put a world class striker like the Norwegian machine in a team notorious for creating chances, you create a monster.
"He’s got so many great players around him that understand his movements in the penalty area," Petit said.
"He will be the best striker this season and I have no idea what his limits are."
No one does. At just 22 years old, his potential could be better than anything we have ever seen before in the league. What an exciting time for football. What a terrifying thought for Premier League defenders.
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