Arsenal players could be 'traumatised' as incredible time spent top of the table speaks volumes

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Arsenal are on the brink of being displaced at the top of the table following their 2-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium

Emmanuel Petit believes Arsenal’s players will be 'traumatised' if they fail to win the Premier League title this season.

The 2-1 defeat to City on Sunday at the Etihad was the Gunners' fourth in a row on the domestic stage after their loss in the Carabao Cup final, also to Pep Guardiola’s side, was followed by a shock FA Cup exit against Southampton. The Gunners are on the brink of being displaced at the top of the table, as victory for City against Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday would end Arsenal’s long reign at the summit with just five matches to play.

Arteta’s side have spent 197 out of 247 days at the top of the Premier League table this season, and Petit, speaking to Andy's Bet Club, believes: “The stats show that April is the worst month under Arteta's management. This is something we have to understand and analyse.

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“We have to explain this because it's weird. Every single season, April is the worst month, so there's something wrong somewhere.

“If they don't win the title from here, Arsenal players will be traumatised forever. I don't really like the temperament of Mikel Arteta on the bench sometimes.

“His body language, I don’t like it. It's the same thing I've seen with Unai Emery sometimes. He looks nervous, very tense.

“I can understand that because when you are close to being in a Champions League semi-final, it's so important. Two years in a row, you are leading the Premier League table.

“So, I can understand the way you react. You are very passionate; you have this desire to win something, but the fact is that Arteta has never won something important.

“I said it a couple of weeks ago: the most difficult trophy in your career is your first one. Look what happened to Paris Saint-Germain; look what happened with so many teams.

“The first trophy is the most important because when you open the door, you know you can open the door. And Arteta never opened the door as a player.

“This is something I think he knows. He's very close to touching the crown, but he has never had it. He has got so close to doing it. That frustration can pass on to the players.”