Emmanuel Petit backs Liverpool over Arsenal for Barcola

Emmanuel Petit knows what it is to choose a club at a crossroads. And looking at Bradley Barcola’s future, the former Arsenal midfielder is convinced the France winger should end up at Anfield, not the Emirates.

Barcola, 23, is at the centre of a tug of war between Liverpool and Arsenal as both Premier League heavyweights scour the market for a new wide forward before the window shuts on September 1. PSG’s price is brutal: £130million (€151m) for a player whose contract talks in Paris have stalled and who is now edging towards the exit.

Liverpool have been in position for months. Barcola is understood to be keen on the move, personal terms are already in place, but Fenway Sports Group are digging their heels in over PSG’s valuation. Arsenal, by contrast, have arrived late to the party, only turning serious once Leandro Trossard was moved on and with Gabriel Martinelli also being lined up for departure.

Petit, though, looks at the squads, the systems and the timing – and sees only one logical destination.

Petit: Liverpool need Barcola more than Arsenal

Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Petit pointed straight at Arsenal’s recent business and the impact of one man in particular.

“Arsenal have just signed Christos Tzolis, who has made a big impression so far, he was brilliant in the Community Shield,” he said.

With Martinelli on his way out and Trossard already gone, Mikel Arteta’s side clearly need left-sided depth. But Tzolis has hit the ground running since arriving from Club Brugge, and Petit thinks that complicates any Barcola move to north London.

“With Martinelli leaving and Trossard no longer at the club, they likely need another option on the left side,” Petit admitted. “If they were to bring in Barcola, it would be difficult for both players to secure a spot in the starting eleven.”

That’s the crux of his argument. Arsenal can accommodate Barcola, but they don’t revolve around him. At Liverpool, he would be a solution rather than a luxury.

“That said, I am a huge fan of Barcola. I believe Liverpool need him much more than Arsenal,” Petit continued. “They definitely need to strengthen their wide areas, particularly on the left flank, they have had problems there since the start of last season.”

The message is blunt: if Barcola wants to walk into a dressing room that genuinely needs him, he heads to Merseyside. Arsenal might tempt him with a title challenge and Champions League football, but they now have Tzolis surging into form on that same flank.

For Liverpool, the calculation is harsher. Miss out on Barcola and the left side remains a patchwork job. Pay the fee and Andoni Iraola gets a dynamic, high-ceiling winger just as he starts to reshape the attack in his own image.

Even with Barcola, Petit doubts Liverpool’s top-four credentials

Petit’s admiration for Barcola doesn’t stretch to blind faith in Liverpool’s season. Even if the Reds win this transfer battle, he is far from convinced they can win the war for a Champions League place.

The Frenchman sees too many gaps, too much uncertainty and a manager still adjusting to the size of the job.

“I am still waiting to see Liverpool’s full intent in the transfer market, as they currently appear to be missing key players,” he said.

That line will sting on Merseyside. Iraola has swapped Bournemouth for one of the most demanding benches in world football, and Petit is not sure the squad he has inherited – or the one being built around him – is ready to crash the top four.

“They have a new manager in Iraola, and adjusting to the scale of Liverpool after Bournemouth is a big transition,” Petit warned. “Liverpool need results immediately.”

There is no patience baked into this project. Lose ground early and the narrative turns quickly, especially with Manchester City, Arsenal and a resurgent Chelsea all expected to drive the pace.

Petit’s verdict is ruthless. When he sketches out his top four, Liverpool are nowhere to be seen.

“Ultimately, I see the top four being Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Liverpool may find it tough again this year.”

So the picture is stark. Barcola, in Petit's eyes, should choose Liverpool because they need him more than Arsenal do. But even if he does, the question lingers over Anfield: will one marquee winger be enough to drag an incomplete squad back into the Champions League fight?