Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has blasted critics of the club, saying the media are eager to give attention to negatives with regards to Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners are having fun with a superb season and that continued on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Chelsea on the Emirates.
The victory prolonged Arsenal’s lead at the highest of the Premier League to 5 points, although closest rivals Manchester City do have a game in hand.
Things are going very nicely for the north London giants – who’re also into the last 16 of the Champions League, the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup last 16 – but they are usually not without their critics.
Goals against Chelsea got here from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber as Arsenal leant on their corners again, taking their tally to 16 goals from corner-kicks this season.
That sees them equal the record for many goals from corners in a single Premier League season, so that they are prone to comfortably beat that number by the top of the campaign.
Manchester City legend Yaya Toure claimed that though Arsenal won the sport, some fans will still be dissatisfied given the form of the team.
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Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel has called for referees to be tougher on the grappling within the box, saying the present routines are ‘not within the spirit of the sport,’ on ViaPlay over the weekend.
Petit feels the attacks on Arsenal, from former players and the broader media, are unnecessarily negative and his old club shouldn’t be getting the praise it deserves for its success.
‘[They] at all times try to provide negative comments, never see the positive side. Never try to seek out something positive,’ Petit said of the media on talkSPORT.
‘It’s like seeing the empty glass or the total glass. It’s at all times the usual story.
‘Even when Arsenal win a game, identical to yesterday [Sunday], it’s about set pieces. Okay, so is it essential to win the three points?
‘No person is saying anything positive, on a regular basis. I mean, it’s very rare, actually.
‘I read the newspaper this morning. It’s type of negative, you already know? It’s like: “Set Piece FC”, things like this. But at the top of the day, it’s three points. I mean, just say it.
‘I get indignant since it’s like watching the news, you already know? You might have ten news [stories]. It’s at all times about nine bad news [stories], on a regular basis. Fears sell newspapers and fears bring people in front of the TV.
‘You realize, there’s beauty on this world. There may be beauty in football. And sometimes you possibly can be honest and say some positive things.’
Arteta is unfazed by any criticism, mentioning that loads of other teams use set-plays, including Sunday’s opponents Chelsea.
Most goals from corners in a Premier League season
16
Arsenal: 2025/26
Arsenal 2023/24
West Brom: 2016/17
Oldham: 1992/93
‘We knew the importance of the person duels at set plays because Chelsea are a top side attacking and defending them,’ he said.
‘Every team to be fair. There may be a lot quality at set pieces within the Premier League.
‘It’s very essential. We now have lost points to long throws and these days we haven’t scored from many set-pieces. Today we did it. To have these options is great.’
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