AFP'I love him' - Emmanuel Petit says Man Utd star is the one player Arsenal need to win Premier League title
AFPArsenal started well in loss to United
United fell behind at the Emirates on Sunday as Lisandro Martinez inadvertently scored past teammate Senne Lammens on the half hour mark in north London. However, United were level before the break as Mbeumo bagged his eighth league goal of the shortly before the break.
And Michael Carrick's men were ahead five minutes after the restart as Patrick Dorgu rifled past David Raya from range. Substitute Mikel Merino then hauled Arsenal level in the 84th minute, but the Gunners were again behind three minutes later as Matheus Cunha struck from range to hinder Arsenal's title aspirations.
Mbeumo has now scored in both games under Carrick, following up his strike in the 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford last week with the equaliser at the weekend. The Cameroon international, who moved to Old Trafford from Brentford over the summer, is the the one player Petit believes Arsenal should sign to help fire them to league glory this term.
Petit confesses 'love' for Mbeumo
Speaking to talkSPORT, Petit said: "Yesterday I saw exactly what I thought about this player against Arsenal, it's Mbeumo. I think in terms of movement, he's very intelligent. He's got this flair in front of the goal. He's very good in terms of assists as well.
"I love his work rate. I love his behaviour on the pitch, technically, mentally as well. But more importantly, I like his movement, the link with his players all the time. He brings something different up front. He's not that physical, but in the meantime he puts everything he has on the pitch. But I love him because he's very intelligent.
"When I saw Manchester United buy him in the last transfer market, I thought, this is a good bargain."
Mbeumo missed a month of league action owing to his AFCON involvement with Cameroon, though the 26-year-old failed to score for his side in Morocco prior to their quarter-final exit.
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Getty Images Sport'Stop the negativity' demands Petit
Petit also called out Arsenal fans that booed at the full time whistle of Sunday's loss to United. Some voiced their anger at the club after the game but the Frenchman has demanded supporters to "stop the negativity" as the Gunners look to end their 20-year wait for a Premier League title.
"I’ve heard what people were saying after the game, I saw what the fans did after the game they booed the team," Petit added. I’ve been listening to former players on different stations saying the same thing. Mental strength? Are they going to lose the title? It’s always the same things again and again.
"It was like that after Liverpool, it was like that after the game yesterday and I’m tired of it, I’m not having it. Arsenal are still first, leading the table. The last five games if you took only those games they are still third in the table. Where are City and Aston Villa? They are far away from them.
"Aston Villa won yesterday against Newcastle, but they lost last week against Everton. City is the same, they don’t win every single game. So stop the negativity especially for the Arsenal fans I want you to support the team until the end. Believe they have the strength and quality to win the title."
Arsenal looking to end winless run
Arsenal are in Champions League action in midweek when they take on Kairat Almaty at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
And they round off January with a testing trip to Leeds as they look to end a three-game winless run.



