Source: REUTERS/Matthew Childs
[Saba Sports News] Recently, Emmanuel Petit stated in an interview that he left Arsenal because of a woman and still regrets it. From 1997 to 2000, Petit spent three successful seasons at Arsenal, where the club won the Premier League and FA Cup in 1998. However, Petit wished he could have stayed at Arsenal longer; if he could turn back time, he would have stopped himself from joining Barcelona in 2000. Petit married French actress Fontane in 2000, but they divorced two years later. When asked why he left Arsenal at that time, Petit replied, “It was for a woman. I always liked Barcelona and Real Madrid, which are the two biggest clubs in the world, but I should have stayed at Arsenal. You know, when you change places, you don’t necessarily perform better. When you find love, happiness, and success, it’s best to stay put. If I could turn back time, I might make a different decision.” Notably, Petit returned to the Premier League to join Chelsea after just one year at Barcelona.