Petit Calls for Arsenal Overhaul After PSG Heartbreak: Jesus, Martinelli and Madueke to Exit

Emmanuel Petit has wasted no time in laying out his blueprint for Arsenal's summer rebuild, identifying three players who should move on after Saturday's Champions League final heartbreak.

The Gunners' brilliant campaign under Mikel Arteta saw them claim their first Premier League title in 22 years, but that achievement was tempered by a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the European showpiece. With possession hovering below 25 per cent across 120 minutes, Arsenal's much-maligned style—built on set-piece efficiency and defensive solidity—proved insufficient on the continent's biggest stage.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Petit zeroed in on the club's glaring deficiency. "You need to have strong and powerful wingers with technical skills who can make a difference out wide," the Arsenal legend explained, identifying the position as fundamental to any title challenge next term.

The solution, according to Petit, lies in the summer market—and in the departure of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke. While he would retain Leandro Trossard, Petit was particularly damning about Madueke's contribution, declaring: "Madueke for me isn't good enough. I'm sorry to say that, but he must do much more to improve."

On striking reinforcements, Petit called for Arsenal to pursue a forward possessing "pace, technical skills and great movement"—a stark contrast to their current attacking options.

Madueke, brought on as a substitute in the 83rd minute of the final, felt the sting of criticism following his anonymous display through extra-time. The England winger responded via social media with a photograph alongside Declan Rice clutching the Premier League trophy, captioning the post: "Champions! Whilst others are tweeting and posting. Thank you God. The glory is yours!"

Rice, never one to shy away from a battle, offered his own riposte in the comments section, before issuing a pointed warning to Arsenal's rivals. "They laughed. They are not laughing anymore," the midfielder wrote. "I love this team, I love this manager. To see the joy we can give people is crazy. But next year we are coming back for more. Lock in or get locked out."