"If one or two players are missing, then it’s not the same team" - Emmanuel Petit details main difference between Arsenal and Liverpool

Arsenal great Emmanuel Petit has highlighted the difference between the Gunners and Premier League leaders Liverpool. Mikel Arteta's side find themselves third in the table, trailing Arne Slot's Reds by nine points after just 18 games.

Petit, who represented Arsenal from 1997 to 2000 and won four trophies, has claimed that the Gunners don't have the same squad depth as Liverpool. He insisted that the north London side don't look the same when even one or two players are missing.

The former France midfielder highlighted how solid Liverpool's attacking options are while their counterparts do not have a similar firepower up front. Petit told Ladbrokes, as quoted by Metro:

"Arsenal have a strong squad, but they don’t have a bench like Liverpool. When you have to pay every three days, and you’re back in the Champions League, and there’s no break during the Christmas period… I was comparing the Liverpool and Arsenal squads recently, in terms of depth, and they’re not in the same world, to be honest."

"Look at the quality Liverpool have up-front – it’s amazing. It’s amazing how many great players they have in that area. Then, look at Arsenal; if one or two players are missing, then it’s not the same team anymore. For me, this is the main difference," the Frenchman added.

Petit highlighted that while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka came into Arsenal's first team around the same time, the former has not developed as much. He said:

"I’m thinking about Gabriel Martinelli, for example. I’m not happy with Martinelli. He had a good game against Crystal Palace a few days ago, but that’s not enough.

"When you look at his journey, and how he started in the first-team, around the same time as Saka… when you look at how Saka has improved, year after year, and has become one of the best players in the Premier League, I’m thinking 'when is that going to come from Martinelli?'"

The pundit also hit out at Gabriel Jesus for his inconsistency in terms of finding the back of the net. He said:

"He’s not the only one; Gabriel Jesus is the same. He’s been playing well, recently, but that’s not enough. I’m sorry, but that’s not enough. If you want to win titles, and you want to compete every season for the best prizes, you need to regularity and consistency in your performances, and you have to take on the responsibility, when your best players are out injured."

Gabriel Martinelli has scored five goals and provided two assists in 24 appearances across competitions this season. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has found the back of the net six times this season in 23 appearances across competitions.

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Mikel Arteta sends strong message for Arsenal players to catch up with Liverpool in the title race

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a message for his players as they trail runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool by nine points. Arne Slot's side have been flying high this season as they lead not only the Premier League table but also the Champions League table.

The Gunners, on the other hand, have been inconsistent and have a monumental task in their hands if they have to catch up with Liverpool. Ahead of his side's away fixture against Brentford on Wednesday, January 1, Mikel Arteta has sent a message for his players. He said, as quoted by The Mirror:

“We have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day, and if someone wins all the matches then congratulate them and then go to the next season. But if they don’t - which in history it hasn’t happened - then we will be there."

He added:

“It doesn’t depend on us. But we will have full focus on Brentford because our minds have to be on what we have to do. We have to recover because not just now but also in the next few weeks, we have so many games, so many competitions and we need to be right up there.”

Arsenal were not at their best in their last Premier League game against Ipswich Town but managed to secure a 1-0 win at home. Brentford away from home will be a challenge for them considering the Bees' sensational home form. Thomas Frank's side are second in the home table this season with 22 points in nine games.