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Emmanuel Petit claims ‘he knows’ that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was ‘dreaming’ of signing Euro 2024 winner Nico Williams instead of Raheem Sterling.
Arsenal were one of a number of clubs heavily linked with 22-year-old winger Williams during the Euros.
Williams has thrived for Athletic Bilbao in recent seasons and enjoyed a breakout tournament in Germany, starring in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and scoring in the final against England.
Despite emerging as a target for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, Bilbao were able to keep hold of Williams for the time being, though he continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona.
Petit believes Gunners manager Arteta was ‘dreaming’ of bringing Williams to the Emirates Stadium and says he then turned to England international Sterling in a ‘panic’ once he realised his first-choice target would not be joining.
Sterling completed a shock move from Chelsea to Arsenal on transfer deadline day after being banished by new Stamford Bridge boss Enzo Maresca.
The 29-year-old won four Premier League titles at Manchester City but had been less effective at Chelsea and has endured a slow start to his Arsenal career.
‘Raheem Sterling was a panic buy,’ ex-Arsenal midfielder Petit told Instant Casino.
‘For me, Mikel Arteta knows that he’s missing players, numbers in his squad, quality players in terms of rotation.
‘He knows that, so at the end of the transfer market during the summer, he knew that he had no choice just to get Sterling because he didn’t want to put the big money on the table for other players.
‘I know that he was dreaming about Nico Williams, but he will never come to the Premier League. He will stay in Spain; he will go to Barcelona. Definitely.
‘Sterling has been living a nightmare for years now. I think Sterling is probably one of the best examples of what life in the Premier League can do to a player that has tastes success after success after success.
‘When you receive so much money for years and you win a lot of trophies, you’re not starving anymore. You lose your passion; you lose your priorities sometimes and you’re enjoying your life.
‘I wonder if Sterling was starting his career that he would probably play differently. It was like that during my time as well. It’s common for human beings.’
Arsenal made an impressive start to the season but picking up just one point from their last three games has left them fifth in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.
‘I’m worried about a few things at Arsenal, and when I look at the future, I hope that they can come back from this and this is just a blip,’ said Petit, who won the double in his first season with the Gunners.
‘Arsenal needs some players to raise their level on the pitch, but they’re missing something very important for me. They’re missing important players in midfield.
‘You can see that in terms of rotation. Declan Rice should be given a rest. I’m watching him and you can see that he’s struggling physically and mentally.
‘I’m worried about that because it’s not the same for Manchester City. The loss of Rodri has been hard to deal with, but they have options on the bench and are not worried about his absence.
‘When key players are out at City, they cope. They’ve demonstrated that for the last two years. They can cope with missing important players in the first 11, no problem at all.
‘When I look at Chelsea, look at the amount of players they have. When I look at Manchester United, maybe something is going to change with Amorim.
‘When I look at Liverpool, they were strolling against Brighton in the first half and then something switched, they kept the same way they’ve been playing all season, and they won the game.
‘Honestly, I don’t know what to think actually. Arsenal need a victory very, very soon.’
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