Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has added to the strong criticism directed at the Arsenal squad following their recent results in the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger’s men kicked off the new season by beating Chelsea in the Community Shield before securing a 4-3 comeback victory over Leicester City on the opening day of the league campaign.

However, all has suddenly gone wrong for the Gunners courtesy of a frustrating 1-0 defeat at Stoke City which was followed by last Sunday’s 4-0 humiliation against Liverpool.

Those results have seen many question the character of several players in the Arsenal squad and Petit has now expressed his own concerns.

“When I see them play – and I see them a lot – they seem to play ­without motivation. The blame is put on Arsene, but I cannot see that it is all down to him. Why should it be?” Petit said

“Why should a player need motivating to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, in one of the best stadiums in the world?

“Some of them do not seem to know what it means to wear that Arsenal shirt.

“Their image from last ­season was that many players looked so disinterested. They get good money to play for a club like Arsenal. Yet, so few of them look happy and ­motivated. How can that be?

“Maybe they should take a step back and ask themselves what they can give to the club. Not what the club can give to them.

“Someone should sit them down and tell them not to act like babies and kids. They should be proud of wearing that Arsenal shirt.

“No one expects them to win every game. That is not going to happen. But there must be pride in playing for the club. The body language of ­players puzzles me. Yes, Alexis Sanchez is a warrior. He always plays like that.

“But many of those players do not seem to realise how lucky they are to be at the club. I just want to shake the tree and tell them how fortunate they are to play at a club of Arsenal’s standing.”

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