Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has shockingly revealed that he left the club “for a woman”, something the former Gunners star admitted that he regrets.
Petit enjoyed three seasons of football in north London before his eventual move to Barcelona in 2000.
The holding midfielder won the World Cup during his stay in the capital and shone under former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger.
Having lifted both the Premier League title and FA Cup, Petit quickly cemented his status as one of the best players in his position.
Petit: “I left Arsenal for a woman”
So, when Barcelona came knocking at the turn of the millennium, Petit agreed to swap England for Spain.
But in a jaw-dropping revelation, the Frenchman revealed that romantic interest played a pivotal part in the move.
Emmanuel Petit and Arsene Wenger. pic.twitter.com/tEkQEX50qZ
— The N5 History (@TheN5News) January 8, 2022
“For a woman,” Petit said when asked why he left Arsenal in a League of Legends interview for Stadium Astro.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
“I always loved Barcelona and [Real] Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in the world. But I should have stayed with Arsenal, definitely,” he added.
“You know, sometimes the grass is not greener somewhere else. It’s better to stay where you are when you receive love and happiness and you are successful. Why would you leave?
“Definitely [a big regret]. If I could turn the clock back, I would probably make a different decision.”
"I would have picked a different option"Emmanuel Petit opens up about the reason he left Arsenal when he did and why he came to regret it in a brand new episode of League of Legends this Saturday.#AstroEPL #Arsenal #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/0VsTDj04We
— Stadium Astro 🇲🇾 (@stadiumastro) March 14, 2024
Arsenal, meanwhile, sit top of the Premier League, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, with Man City just a single point behind.
The Gunners are also on the charge in Europe, with the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich taking place on April, 9.
Some Arsenal fans think they hold a crucial advantage over the Bundesliga side for the game at the Emirates Stadium, in what is set to be a rather unusual atmosphere.