Arsenal Icon Emmanuel Petit has admitted he left the Gunners ‘for a woman’ and still regrets the decision almost 25 years later.
Petit enjoyed three successful seasons at Arsenal from 1997 to 2000 with the Gunners winning. Premier League title and The FA Cup trophy in 1998.
But French, 54, wants to stay in the north London For a long time and could turn back the clock to stop himself from joining Barcelona in 2000.
Petit married French actress Agathe de la Fontaine in 2000 but divorced just two years later.
Asked why he decided to leave Arsenal and join Barca, Petit told Stadium Astro that he was influenced by his love life off the pitch and said: ‘[It was] for a woman
‘I always loved Barcelona and [Real] The two biggest clubs in the world are Madrid. But I definitely should have stayed with Arsenal.
‘You know, sometimes the grass isn’t greener elsewhere. When you find love and happiness and you are successful, it is better to stay where you are.
‘Why leave? of course [a big regret]. If I could turn back the clock, I might have made a different decision.’
Former defensive midfielder Petit, who now works as a football pundit, spent just one season at Barca before returning to the Premier League to join Chelsea.
He had a three-year spell at Stamford Bridge before starting his playing career in 2004, making a total of 76 appearances.
talking Four four two Regarding his second stint in England, Petit revealed that he actually wanted to join Manchester United but his wife wanted to stay in London.
‘I should have gone to Manchester United, because Sir Alex Ferguson called me twice,’ said Petit. ‘We had a very good conversation and it was tempting, but I heard about my wife again.
‘He wanted to go back to London – he didn’t want to stay in Manchester – so I made the same mistake twice in one year.’
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