I’m a World Cup winner who left Arsenal for a woman… I immediately regretted it
A WORLD CUP winning legend has revealed the reason that he left Arsenal was “for a woman”.
Emmanuel Petit arrived at Highbury from Monaco in 1997 as an unknown on these shores.
But he and fellow new French recruit Patrick Vieira instantly formed an incredible partnership in midfield under Arsene Wenger.
That led to Arsenal winning the league and cup double in 1998, which was followed that summer by the pair helping Les Bleus to World Cup glory.
Petit, who scored in the final for his country against Brazil, played over 80 times in the top-flight for the Gunners before he made a shock exit for Barcelona in 2000.
The now 53-year-old struggled at the Nou Camp and only stayed for 12 months before returning to England and signing for Chelsea, where he stayed until retirement in 2004.
Now Petit has admitted his regret at leaving Arsenal and insisted that it was a move made for love and not money or football.
He told Football España: “I left Arsenal for a woman.
“I always liked Barcelona and Real Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in the world. But I should have stayed at Arsenal, definitely.”
Petit married French actress Agathe de la Fontaine in 2000, whom he has a child with, but they divorced two years later.
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He continued: “You know, sometimes the grass is not greener elsewhere.
“It’s better to stay where you are when you receive love, happiness, and success.
“If I could turn back time, I would probably make a different decision.”
Petit struggled to make an impact under boss Lorenzo Serra Ferrer at Barcelona and scored one goal in 23 appearances.
He added: “I arrived at a bad time. There was a war in the dressing room between Catalan and Dutch players.
“In addition, we had Serra Ferrer as a coach, who did not have the necessary strength or charisma to handle the team.”
Petit’s switch to Chelsea failed to return him to his top form as he suffered a crippling knee injury that forced his retirement after just three years.