Emmanuel Petit has revealed he has rejected a return to Arsenal to instead sign for London rivals Chelsea.
The French legend and double winner with the Gunners admitted he decided against returning to the club in 2001.
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Petit left north London in 2000 after three years and joined Barcelona. According to him, the transfer was beyond his control.
This move to Barca didn’t work out so well as injuries affected his time in Spain and he only stayed there for one season.
His struggle to adapt led to the legendary midfielder receiving multiple offers to return to the Premier League – including from Arsenal, who had decided to sell him only months earlier.
However, he would ultimately turn down the Gunners and instead opt for a move to Chelsea for a transfer fee of £7.5 million.
“It was pretty hard for me to understand,” Petit began on The Pitch Prospect’s White and Jordan. “Six months after I left, I got a call from Arsene Wenger saying I wanted you back at Arsenal.
“Claudio Ranieri came to Barcelona, at my house, we had lunch and that’s why I signed for Chelsea.
“I received two calls from Sir Alex Ferguson. He wanted to bring me to Manchester United.
“Arsene called me too and said I think we’ve made a mistake. You should go back to Arsenal.”
“I thought to myself, why? Why? Why didn’t you do anything to keep me at Arsenal? Then suddenly you change your mind.
“It’s like divorcing your wife and after three months you already realize it’s a mistake and you want to go back to the old days. That’s impossible. That’s not how it works.”
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Why did Petit choose Chelsea?
Petit went on to explain exactly why he decided to turn down a return to Arsenal or a move to Man United and go to Chelsea.
“I chose Chelsea because it was in London,” said the World and European champion. “I wanted to live in London.
“But I also chose Chelsea because Claudio Ranieri was physically there and we had such a good time together. He convinced me.”
“He was so sweet and such a gentleman. For me, sometimes people are more important to what you decide professionally.”
Petit played 76 games for the Blues over three years before retiring in 2005 due to further injuries.
He ended his career with 63 caps for France and over 500 appearances for Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Monaco combined.
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What did Petit say then?
When Petit moved to Chelsea 25 years ago, he was happy about the move back to the Premier League.
After his transfer was announced, he said: “When I was in Barcelona I realized how much I missed life in England.”
“Chelsea found the better way to me and they were very determined, very strong and that’s why I made my decision.”
Petit did not disclose Arsenal’s snub at the time, but was asked about interest from Man United and Ferguson.
In 2001 he refused to comment on it, although he confirmed it was true in his chat with The Pitch Prospect this week.