Mikel Arteta can have Havertz-like effect on Raheem Sterling, adds former Arsenal midfielder
Mikel Arteta can have Havertz-like effect on Raheem Sterling, adds former Arsenal midfielder
In our interview with former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit, the French football icon added that the Gunners’ centre-back partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel is the best in the world, but that he was surprised to see them lose focus in their 4-2 win against Leicester on Saturday.
“For the past two or three seasons, you’d have to say Gabriel and William Saliba are the best centre-back partnership in the world,” he said. “Arsenal have had the best defence in the Premier League for the past couple of years – it’s really hard to score goals against them. They’re a really strong pairing and I’m really happy with them – their partnership is the pinnacle of the Arsenal setup and I’m praying none of them get injured”
“I was therefore surprised to see what happened in the second half against Leicester on the weekend – they just lost their concentration. Arsenal should have won that game easily, but they lost control of the game and that’s something they need to work on. In the Premier League you can’t lose concentration like that because you’ll put yourself in danger, even against the so-called smaller teams.”
Petit emphasised the importance of turning these mishaps into a learning experience despite the positive outcome of the match. Since every Premier League game is a high-stakes endeavour, inconsequential mistakes are a luxury akin to using free spins – you have a valuable learning experience without paying for it.
“It’s important that they won the game, but this should serve as a lesson for them – if you let your guard down, you’ll receive a kick in the face!”
Petit also said that he believes Raheem Sterling can return to his best under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, likening the England winger’s situation at Arsenal to that of Kai Havertz when he also first joined from Chelsea.
“We all know the quality Raheem Sterling possesses,” said Petit. “I don’t know how he’s feeling mentally after the last couple of seasons because his spell at Chelsea was not very good. I’m pretty sure, despite all his experience, that he lacks a bit of confidence at times.’’
When looking back at Kai’s development within Arsenal’s system, Petit notes how patience and a methodical approach were the keys to success. Since football transfers aren’t guaranteed success, inspiring a player to reach their potential in a system will likely require a due and very careful process:
“We saw it with Kai Havertz too when he left Chelsea – it took months for Mikel Arteta and his staff to get the best out of him. He was struggling and looked lost on the pitch – nobody really knew what his best position was and he was receiving a lot of criticism. However, step-by-step, Arteta grew his confidence and managed to get the best out of him.”
His trust in the inspiring leadership of Arteta is yet another factor that Petit weighs in, with consistency being the main denominator that would enhance Sterling’s role. The former midfielder believes that Raheem Sterling’s potential is still very noticeable despite his age. Since Sterling is as much of a gamble (albeit cheaper) as Havertz, then his blossoming would be almost like a cost-free bonus:
“I really want Arteta to do the same with Sterling. Two years ago he’d be a huge problem for defenders, but the problem for him is the consistency of his performances. I fully back Arteta to get the most out of him and bring back his best levels – he could be a big player for Arsenal if so.”
We’re incredibly grateful to Emmanuel Petit for taking the time to speak with us. His insights into Arsenal’s defence and the potential of players like Sterling were invaluable. His responsiveness and willingness to share his thoughts made this interview a special one, and we’re excited to bring his expertise to our BetBrain readers.
