What was the point of sacking Wenger? Arsenal legend Petit blasts club for lack of transfer funds since Emery took charge

The Gunners slipped to sixth in the table after they were comfortably beaten 3-1 at the Etihad

Posted Tuesday, February 05, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

ARSENAL legend Emmanuel Petit has blasted his former club for the lack of funds since Emery took charge and questioned why they bothered sacking Arsene Wenger.

The cash-strapped Gunners only made one addition to their squad during the window with Spanish midfielder Denis Suarez arriving on loan from Barcelona.

What was the point of sacking Wenger? Arsenal legend Petit blasts club for lack of transfer funds since Emery took charge
Gunners legend Emmanuel Petit blasted his former club for not backing the Spaniard

Petit, who lifted the Premier League during his time in North London, was left bemused by Arsenal's decision not to back Emery with funds to improve the squad.

The Spaniard suffered an injury crisis last month but was left only able to sign loan players and they now face a battle for top-four after their 3-1 loss to Man City.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Petit said: "The frustration level must be very high for Emery as in only his second transfer window as Arsenal manager, he was told he cannot sign anybody.

"You look at the money Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City spend and unless you join them and put the cash on the table to compete for the best players, you are going nowhere.

"Tottenham are not spending money, but they are in the position Arsenal were in a few years ago building a stadium, but there is no excuse for Arsenal now.

"If you sack Arsene Wenger and then say to the guy who replaces him you have no money to spend on new players, I would ask what was the point of sacking Wenger in the first place?"

Despite publicly revealing plans to make two signings during the recent winter transfer window, Arsenal were only able to acquire Denis Suarez on loan from Barcelona.

The club has the option of making his stay at the Emirate stadium permanent in the summer but Petit feels money should have been made available for defensive additions.

The French World Cup winner added: "Defensively, Arsenal have not been good enough this season, so I was surprised they did not try to sign defenders in January.

"When I look at Manchester City and Liverpool, they play with the same style at home as they do away and that is not the case for Arsenal this season.

"Clearly, the defence is a problem.

"The better teams are getting through them far too easily and when I hear Emery say he is happy with his defence and he does not need new players in these positions, I'm pretty sure he does not believe this."