Emmanuel Petit fears for Arsenal against Man City because of TWO ‘average’ stars

Emmanuel Petit fears ‘average’ Arsenal pair William Saliba and Gabriel could cost his former club against Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Gunners host City at the Emirates, in a fixture that was forced to be rearranged from September following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Arsenal have a three-point lead and a game in hand on City ahead of the contest, but the Gunners are lacking momentum after a defeat to Everton last week and a draw against Brentford last weekend.

The partnership between Saliba and Gabriel helped Arsenal to reach 50 points by the halfway stage of the season and the duo have been widely praised.

But Saliba’s form has dipped in recent weeks, with teams now targeting Arsenal from set pieces.

City can go level with Arsenal should they win at the Emirates and Petit admits he fears for the Gunners because of the ‘average’ form of the centre-backs.

‘Saliba and Gabriel don’t look the same defenders as they used to a few months ago,’ Petit told Compare Bet.

‘In the last couple of games, they look average. Especially Saliba, he is not playing like he was earlier this season.’

Erling Haaland is set to start for City, despite being taken off with a thigh issue in the side’s 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Wednesday’s game is the first league fixture between the two teams this season, with the original date being rearranged following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

City beat Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup last month.

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