Emmanuel Petit predicts an Arsenal win in the North London derby on Sunday.
Tottenham Hotspur are all set to host Arsenal in what will be a must-win game for both teams for different reasons. The Gunners will have to claim all three points to stay alive in the title race while Spurs need to come out on top to keep their hopes of a top-four finish intact.
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit was asked about the game on Sunday and he had a few interesting points to make. The former French international believes this Arsenal team is a lot different from last season. They lost the plot towards the very end last time out and even injuries played a part but that is not the case this time around.
The win over Chelsea was a statement that showcased the kind of characters that are present in their dressing room. Petit believes they have improved a lot from last season. While it is a derby for both teams, he feels Arsenal have the upper hand as they are the best team away from home this season.
Petit when asked about his prediction for the North London derby on talkSPORT, said: “It’s not I want Arsenal to win, they are going to win. No, don’t laugh guys, they’re going to win. It’s a different team from last season, honestly.
“They show great mentality and personality, they show composure all the time. It’s not the same Arsenal at the same point last season. Remember, they lost the plot probably mentally but they lost important players on injuries. It’s not the case this season.
“The reaction they did against Chelsea showed how good they are in terms of character and personality, how much they improved from last season. OK, it’s a big derby, (for) both teams (it’s) a must-win game for different reasons, but I still believe Arsenal are the best side away from home this season, the best attack, the best defence, for me it’s green lights.
“It will be an open game, I don’t see a close game, a tactical game, things like this, and I don’t want to that in derbies like that. I see something like a 3-1 for Arsenal.”
Petit feels the Gunners have improved a lot from last season and they have been the best team on the road this term. While it won’t be an easy game, the former French international feels Arsenal have the upper. He has predicted an open game that will result in chances for both teams but in the end, he has predicted a scoreline of 3-1 in favour of Mikel Arteta’s team.