Emmanuel Petit has named Moises Caicedo as the Chelsea player he would most like to see in the struggling Arsenal team – ahead of Cole Palmer.

And the World Cup winner claimed the form of England midfielder Declan Rice is a problem before their must-win game at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel Arteta ’s side have lost their last two games at home and abroad without scoring a goal and are now under pressure in the Premier League and Champions League. They go into the London derby on Sunday level on points with Chelsea after 10 games – and in danger of falling 10 points behind leaders Liverpool this weekend. England star Cole Palmer has already scored seven goals in the Premier League this season, including all four against Brighton.

But Petit, who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea, said: “If I could pick one Chelsea player to put into the Arsenal team, actually, that would be Moises Caicedo, definitely. I would probably take Cole Palmer as well, but I will go for Caicedo.”

The former midfielder reckons Martin Odegaard would be the Arsenal player who he would most like to see in the Chelsea team – but refuses to blame the Norwegian’s absence on the Gunners’ bad recent form.

“Why?” the Frenchman asked. “You can’t put poor performances on Odegaard’s absence. Big teams cope without big players.

“The players are tired. You can see that. You know, for me the best example is Declan Rice. He’s been marvellous since he signed for Arsenal and from the start of season, he’s not the same player anymore.

“It was a long season last season, and he played so many games at a high level during the European Championship as well. With the new format of the Champions League, it’s like there are big games coming up all the time.

“Tiredness of the players in the first 11 and the rotation as well. I think this is one of the reasons Arsenal have been getting poor results recently. I would say as well, they lost their ability to retain the ball in these games, dominate possession, and that was one of the foundations of their game for the last two or three seasons, but it’s gone at the moment.

Technically, they’re struggling a lot. If you don’t control the game, if you don’t control the rhythm, you cannot express your qualities on the pitch. Odegaard is not there, you can see the link between the midfield and the strikers, and the attacking players is not good at all. I have the feeling that in the midfield they are losing the battle mentally and physically.”

Rice is a doubt with the foot injury – thought to be a broken toe – suffered in the midweek Champions League defeat at Inter Milan. It follows the departure of sporting director Edu.

“There are a lot of bad things happening all at once at Arsenal at the moment,” Petit told Instant Casino . “On and off the pitch.

“With Edu leaving the club, they need victories. Simple as that. The only thing that can erase bad things and bring back the unity in the dressing room and the confidence, is winning games.

“When you’re winning, you forget that you’re tired mentally and physically. You forget the mistakes that you can make on the pitch. Winning helps you prepare for the next game.

“Victories are the most important thing in football. With Chelsea in the top four and above Arsenal, if Arsenal want to show that they are serious contenders, it’s definitely a must-win game for them.”