Emmanuel Petit insists Arsenal don't 'have the guts' to sign Paul Pogba as former Manchester United star prepares for return to football

Pogba's four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months in 2023, meaning the Frenchman will be eligible to play at an elite level again in March 2025. With the midfielder set to terminate his contract with Juventus, he has been tipped to make his Premier League comeback. However, former Gunner Petit has ruled Arsenal out of the running as he does not believe they will want to make a high-risk play on the 31-year-old.

Speaking to Instant Casino, Petit said: "It's really important that he picks the right club next, and that club will be getting a player with so much desire. It’s a huge decision for Paul. It’s probably the most important decision he will ever make in his career. But at 32 years old [in March], what's the club's risk in taking him? He won't get a lot of money because of what happened in the last two or three seasons. He will probably get a decent contract, but with a clause saying that if he can reach a certain amount of games, he can get a raise.

"I'm not sure big clubs like Arsenal actually have the guts to sign a player like Pogba. Remember what happened with some top players that join Arsenal, most of them have been a failure. I'm not sure as well that signing Paul Pogba fits with the philosophy of Arsenal actually, especially after Edu walked out. It's a gamble, but I'm not sure that Arsenal will take it. I'm pretty sure that some French clubs will be very interested in him."

Pogba has been out of action for over a year and while the former Manchester United man has always had bags of talent, there are question marks over whether he can still compete at a top level. No Premier League club would pick him up for the wages he would demand unless he could immediately prove that he is still the difference-maker that forged his reputation in the first place.

Pogba will be eligible to begin training in January 2025 before getting the nod to take part in international matches a few months later. For now he is working on his fitness ahead the date his will have circled in his diary.