Emmanuel Petit names player who could have saved Arsenal’s season

Emmanuel Petit says Bukayo Saka’s timely return could be what proves the difference if Arsenal are to go on and enjoy success in the Premier League and Champions League.

Saka was sidelined for around a month with an Achilles problem, his third separate injury of the season, meaning he was forced to miss five matches in all competitions as Arsenal’s campaign threatened to come off the rails.

It’s been a somewhat frustrating season for the England international from a personal perspective, with a combination of form and fitness limiting his effectiveness for the Gunners.

But Saka returned to action in the side’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle, coming on as a late replacement for Noni Madueke and making an immediate impact at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta has been cautious with Saka’s transition back into the team, eager not to risk further injury. The 24-year-old was again used as a substitute in Arsenal’s semi-final first leg with Atletico Madrid before coming off at half-time against Fulham.

It was on Tuesday night that Saka well and truly announced his return to the fold, though, as he found himself in the right place at the right time to score what proved to be the decisive goal to send Arsenal through to this year’s Champions League final.

He will be looking to pick up where he left off at West Ham this weekend, with Arsenal switching their focus back to Premier League matters in the wake of Manchester City’s slip-up at Everton.

‘Viktor Gyokeres was missing Bukayo Saka; he was out for months, while Martin Odegaard spent long periods on the bench. Can you imagine where Arsenal would’ve been if those players had been fit all season?’ ex-Arsenal midfielder wrote in his BOYLE Sports column.

‘We can see now how badly Saka was missed; his return might be what wins Arsenal the Premier League and the Champions League.

‘Without him, it could’ve been nothing. I think he’s mentally and physically fresh. He’s got some life in his legs; Arteta is managing him carefully because you cannot take any risks with him.

‘They still have four games to play, three in the Premier League and one Champions League final.

‘So, don’t rush him. They are winning games, and he’s been important in the last few.

‘The next game against West Ham will be very important for both teams. I presume Saka will be crucial. Saka and Odegaard have been among their best players for years. They were missing those guys.

‘It’s like asking Pep Guardiola playing without Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva.’

Petit is convinced it will be Arsenal’s year in the Premier League and believes the fanbase should be satisfied if that turns out to be the only trophy they get their hands on this season.

‘Arsenal could win both trophies, but after what they have been through over the last few seasons, the Premier League would be enough,’ the 1998 France World Cup winner explained.

‘What I would say is that it’s not a coincidence that they can win the Champions League for the first time and end their Premier League drought in the same season; things happen for a reason. 

‘Arsenal are going to win the Premier League. Even after losing at City 2-1 and dropping the nine-point advantage they had, I was always confident because I knew those guys were going to come back.

‘I didn’t see City winning every single game. And this is exactly what happened against Everton, but it could still go down to goal difference.

‘The last three games for Arsenal are West Ham, Burnley, and Crystal Palace. Two derbies and one against Burnley, who are already down. You could say it’s nine points, but West Ham will probably play like it’s a final.

‘But if you look at City ‘s schedule, they play against top teams who are very confident, actually. They have to go to Bournemouth . Look at Bournemouth ; they have been one of the best teams in the Premier League for weeks now.

‘The same with Brighton , and City play Aston Villa in the last game. Aston Villa are struggling to keep their position on the table. So I wish City good luck as well, but as I said, I see Arsenal winning the Premier League.

‘I’m not sure about the Champions League final, but I think if you ask me to decide, I will take both. But if I have to make a choice, I will say the Premier League first.’

According to Petit, nobody will remember how Arsenal reached the Champions League final – and Arteta’s squad should try to block out any ‘noise’ and criticism surrounding their style of play.

He added: ‘Arsenal controlled the tie against Atletico, but again we heard the same critics again, a lot of people are complaining about the level of display, the way both teams were playing, very tactically, very strong structure defensively.

‘Arsenal did what it takes to go to the Champions League final. So I think it’s a huge improvement.

‘The critics talk about how Arsenal play, the fact that they struggle to score goals, but they’ve been in almost every single competition until the end, except the FA Cup .

‘This is the only team in Europe who has done that. And despite the fact that they are struggling to score goals, they still win games. And I think this is the most important.

‘History will remember the trophies for a couple of years. Who cares about how Arsenal reached the final? To be honest with you, let the noises spread and stay focused on the Premier League and the Champions League final.’

Asked if Arsenal would have preferred PSG or Bayern Munich in the final, Petit replied: ‘I don’t think Arsenal would prefer either PSG or Bayern in the final.

‘They play similar types of explosive attacking football, and Arsenal play more tactically. 

‘PSG and Bayern have been the most impressive teams in the Champions League this season, with a DNA of scoring goals; Arsenal have been the best defensive team.

‘I think either way, Arsenal would be underdogs, but if they play their tactical game, they have a real chance of winning the Champions League for the first time.’

Petit, who won the Premier League with Arsenal in 1998, has been mightily impressed by the way in which Gyokeres has managed to turn his fortunes around after a rocky start to his Gunners career.

And though Petit acknowledges that Gyokeres ‘is not the most gifted’ centre-forward, he believes the Swede’s ‘100 per cent’ commitment has made him a ‘nightmare’ for opposition defences in recent matches.

‘Viktor Gyokeres is not a romantic player, nor is he the most gifted player. But honestly, I was thinking about the central defenders of Atletico Madrid,’ he continued.

‘Robin Le Normand was substituted, and the others found it so difficult for them to mark him.

‘Gyokeres gives 100 per cent every time he’s on the pitch. I know that it’s not enough when you play for Arsenal, you want something more romantic after the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.

‘You could say that Arsenal deserves a striker like that. But this guy, despite the critics, despite the pressure, is trying everything he can on the pitch to make a difference.

‘Recently, he has been a nightmare for defenders. He ran the channels; he held up the ball.

‘He missed this great opportunity in the second half. He should have done better, but it was quite difficult technically. He was very important in both games.’

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