A former Arsenal ace has questioned ex-Manchester United striker Anthony Martial’s desire to be a professional footballer as he remains a free agent after failing to find a new club this summer.
Martial was released by Manchester United when his contract expired at the end of last season.
The 28-year-old remains a free agent but has been linked with several moves during the summer transfer window.
But a legendary Arsenal midfielder has said the Frenchman is largely in a situation of his own making and cannot remember the last time he showed the talent or commitment needed for a club to sign him.
Emmanuel Petit told talkSPORT: ‘I can’t remember the last time he was a real footballer on the pitch, producing good performances.
Anthony Martial is without a new club after leaving Old Trafford this summer
Emmanuel Petit (pictured) has asked if Martial wants to be a professional footballer.
“Maybe he should ask himself if he wants to continue his career, because I have the feeling that the last few years have been very difficult for him, both on and off the pitch.
‘It’s quite difficult to arrive at the training ground in a good frame of mind every morning and try to give your best all the time because you have a problem in your life, you have a problem in the locker room, you have problems everywhere.
So if I were Anthony Martial, I would ask myself this question in front of the mirror: do I want to continue being a professional footballer?
Martial was reportedly overlooked by Brazilian side Flamengo, who refused to sign the player based on his demands.
The 28-year-old wanted a three-year contract and a salary that Flamengo were not willing to consider.
The two sides were too far apart for there to be any hope of successful negotiations.
AEK Athens have also made an approach for Martial in recent weeks.
Martial is said to have been offered the biggest contract in the club’s history in an attempt to convince him to sign.
Manchester United signed Martial, then one of the most promising young players in world football, from Monaco in 2015 for a fee that could have reached £58m with add-ons.
He scored 17 goals during his debut campaign, but proved frustratingly inconsistent towards the end of his Old Trafford career, with declining goalscoring numbers and increasing injury problems.
Flamengo, led by former Brazilian coach Tite, rejected the opportunity to sign Martia
His best form for United came when he scored 23 goals in the 2019-20 season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but he struggled to repeat that run. In total, he scored 90 goals in 317 games.
Martial has also been linked with Atalanta and Lille.
