Emmanuel Petit thinks Arsenal fans might have a lot to celebrate by the end of the season – a Premier League title after all these years and maybe even a Ballon d’Or winner in their squad.

Right now, Arsenal sit four points clear of Manchester City with just 12 games to go. It’s been almost two decades since they last won the league, and after three straight years finishing second, this feels different. The team finally looks ready to break the drought.

Yeah, they dropped points against Brentford with that 1-1 draw, but honestly, they’ll expect to bounce back on Wednesday against Wolves, who are struggling at the bottom. After that, all eyes turn to Sunday’s huge north London derby with Tottenham. Big week ahead.

Arsenal are still fighting on all fronts and are still alive in every competition, which is no small feat. Petit is backing them to finally grab that Premier League title, and he thinks that kind of success can open the door for individual awards too.

No Arsenal player has ever won the Ballon d’Or, but Petit believes Declan Rice could change that. Rice has been outstanding, both in the league and in Europe. If he keeps this up, and especially if he shines at the World Cup this summer, he’s got a real shot at picking up some big honours when the Ballon d’Or comes around in September.

Petit put it pretty simply: Declan Rice might be leading the Ballon d’Or race right now, but the World Cup matters too. Still, he’s clear Rice and Arsenal have to win something this season. You can be as talented as you want, but if you don’t have trophies to show for it, you’re not in the conversation with the best.

It’s not enough just to be recognised as a special player. To really be considered one of the greats, you need to win titles.

The closest Arsenal ever came to a Ballon d’Or winner was Thierry Henry finishing second in 2003, just behind Pavel Nedved. Now Rice, who’s 27 and cost Arsenal £105 million from West Ham last year, is probably their most important player. He’s already been named in back-to-back PFA Teams of the Year, helped England reach two European Championship finals, and just keeps raising his game.

Even Gary Lineker recently said Rice is one of the frontrunners for Premier League Player of the Season. He was chatting with his mates about it; if United keep going strong and Bruno Fernandes keeps piling up goals and assists, he’s in the mix too. Erling Haaland’s name always comes up, especially if he starts scoring again. Gabriel, Arsenal’s defender, deserves a shout as well.

But right now? There’s no clear winner yet. Still, Lineker called Bruno “a bloody good footballer", and you know what, the same goes for Rice. He’s been massive for Arsenal. And if things keep going their way, he could be lifting some serious silverware both for the team and on his own.

Mikel Arteta isn’t hiding his concern; he’s worried Arsenal’s push for a quadruple might fall apart if injuries keep piling up in his midfield.

Martin Odegaard missed the FA Cup win over Wigan after picking up a knock, so Arteta had to shift Bukayo Saka into central midfield. Now Arsenal’s captain joins Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino on the injury list after that tough draw with Brentford.

“Yeah, I’m worried, especially because it’s always something,” Arteta said. “First it was the strikers, then the defenders, and now it’s the midfielders.” He’s watching his squad get thinner while Arsenal are still fighting on every front, leading the Premier League, already in the League Cup final, and top of their Champions League group.

“We’re coping for now, but we need players back and healthy, not just to fill out the squad but to give us different options against whoever we face,” he said. “The sooner, the better.”

Against Wigan, Arteta was forced to play Saka in midfield during a comfortable 4-0 win, but that wasn’t the original plan. He wanted to use Myles Lewis-Skelly there, but a late injury to defender Riccardo Calafiori meant Saka had to step in. It might not be the last time, either.

“I wanted to try it, and we could use it again,” Arteta said. “We’ve got so many matches, so many competitions, and all sorts of scenarios left this season. That’s definitely an option.”

He likes what Saka brings in that role. “He’s more central, closer to the goal. It’s harder for opponents to track him. He can swap with the wide player; he finds those little pockets, and when he gets the ball there, he’s dangerous.”

To make matters worse, Ben White also left the pitch injured. Arteta said they’ll need to check on him.

Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze bounced back after being subbed off at halftime against Brentford, setting up two stunning goals for Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.

“I loved the risks he took in the final third, the shots he tried; it’s really positive,” Arteta said. “That’s what I want from him. Creative players need those moments to feel like they’re making a difference. I’m really pleased with that.”

He didn’t forget Martinelli, either. “Gabi’s run, his timing, the finish – it’s all really good. It’s great for the mood and the team’s confidence.”