Emmanuel Petit has claimed that Arsenal have the potential to dominate English football once again after their roaring start to the season.

The 43-year-old Frenchman made 116 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal between 1997 and 2000, after snubbing interest from Tottenham to join from Monaco at a price of just £2.5million.

The World Cup winner has voiced his opinion that Arsene Wenger will stay at the Emirates despite his contract finishing at the end of the season, and has even targeted winning the Capital One Cup as an early goal.

Split Loyalties

The Gunners play Chelsea in the League Cup in midweek, another of Petit’s former clubs, but he has tipped the Red side of London to triumph:

“I think Arsenal will probably just about win, mostly because Chelsea have a harder fixture schedule and having to play on Sunday rather than Saturday makes it that much tougher.

“The Capital One Cup is a trophy, the first one they can win. Psychologically it is huge, it’s huge for both clubs but for Arsenal they need to end this run and I think they will.”

“You cannot afford to make differences between trophies. You need to have a winning spirit which means you go out to win every game. You can’t pick and choose. You need a winning mentality.”

“Success will bring more success. But it is so important now to win a trophy and add success to the wonderful football.”

Petit, who was eventually sold to Barcelona along with Marc Overmars for around £7million but failed to establish himself there, was released by Chelsea in 2004 when he retired due to injury.

Ozil’s admirers

He joined the endless list of professionals to openly praise the signing of Mesut Ozil, claiming that the £45million German has been utilised to his full potential in North London:

“They are enjoying their football, they are playing fantastic one-touch stuff as good as when Cesc Fabregas was there. Mesut Ozil has been a fantastic signing for them.”

“Arsenal are in a good place to win,” said Petit. “They have a world class player, he has lifted them, given them belief and confidence is 50 per cent of every successful team.

“I’ve been watching Ozil at Madrid and I thought he was wasted every time he pulled on the white shirt. They did not play him in the way to get the best out of him. But Arsenal are building a team around him, getting the best from him.

Arsenal is Arsene, Arsene is Arsenal

And the 63-time capped Frenchman claimed that none of the success that Arsenal are currently reaping would be available had it not been for Wenger – even claiming that the Double side of 1998 would not have been what it was without his countryman.

“What makes Wenger special is that he doesn’t just buy talent, he buys a player’s trust. With Ozil, he knew what effect he would have on the pitch.”

“I’m sure Wenger will stay with Arsenal, it’s impossible to imagine the club without him. If the club does not win a trophy then it will be hard for him, but I think they will.

“But the fans must understand that he has been the best thing to ever happen to Arsenal and he is responsible for all the success in the past 17 years.”

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