Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has expressed his belief that Arsenal should consider signing Paul Pogba, a move he believes would significantly bolster the team’s midfield. Petit, who won the Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal during his career, commented that Pogba could seamlessly integrate into Mikel Arteta’s setup at the club and bring valuable qualities to the Gunners’ midfield.
Petit suggested that Pogba’s skill set would complement Arsenal’s current tactical needs, describing him as a “perfect fit” for the squad.
He noted that Pogba’s physicality, creativity, and technical abilities align well with Arsenal’s playing style, particularly in the midfield where Arteta has been building a blend of youth, creativity, and resilience.
“Honestly, Arsenal should gamble on signing Paul Pogba. He will give everything on the pitch,” Petit said in an interview with Team Talk.
He went on to emphasize that a motivated Pogba, under the right management, could add significant depth and dynamism to Arsenal. According to Petit, Pogba’s potential contributions would outweigh concerns about his recent lack of playing time due to a knee injury.
The French international has been sidelined for much of the season, but his recovery is reportedly on track. With rehabilitation progressing, Pogba is expected to resume training in January and potentially return to competitive matches in March 2025.
Petit also discussed Pogba’s temperament, which has often drawn scrutiny over his career.
Known for his creative flair and unique playmaking abilities, Pogba has at times been criticized for inconsistency and struggles to find his best form, particularly during his time at Manchester United.
However, Petit argued that Pogba’s circumstances were often misunderstood and that, given the right support and environment, Pogba could thrive.
Petit believes that Arteta and the Arsenal atmosphere could provide the positivity and encouragement Pogba needs to excel, something that was missing in his previous stints at Manchester United and Juventus.
He elaborated, “Pogba fits the Arsenal midfield perfectly, he’s tall, strong, and very creative. We all know how good a happy Pogba is—he needs love and to be given confidence. I think Arteta and Arsenal can offer this to him.” For Petit, the manager’s ability to create a supportive environment would be crucial in helping Pogba regain his confidence and best form.
Recalling Pogba’s 2016 transfer to Manchester United from Juventus for a then-record £89 million, Petit acknowledged the midfielder’s high profile and talent, and admitted that signing him would be a risk.
However, he argued that it would be a calculated one, as Pogba would bring invaluable experience and skill to the Arsenal squad.
Additionally, the competitive drive to rebuild his career after recent challenges could make Pogba more motivated than ever to succeed.
Petit concluded that, under Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal might just be the right place for Pogba to re-establish himself as a top player and make a significant impact in the Premier League once again.
