An integral part of Arsenal’s team during the three years he spent there, Emmanuel Petit is normally fondly remembered by fans for his partnership with Patrick Vieira in the middle of the pitch.
Winning the double in his first season, the now 46-year-old eventually signed for Barcelona in 2000, where he only spent one year, before returning to the Premier League with Chelsea under Claudio Ranieri.
Petit explained that because of a bad relationship with Barcelona’s manager at the time, Llorenç Serra Ferrer, and certain teammates, he asked the club if they could let him leave early during the next transfer window, the only time he made such a request during his career.
He continued: “That’s when Sir Alex Ferguson called me, twice, Arsène called me as well. Claudio Ranieri actually came to see me, and ate with me at my house. I was charmed by him, what he had to say, and that’s why I wanted to sign for Chelsea.
“Remember, at the time, there was Giggs, Scholes, Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham, Beckham… They had an incredible team. Stam at centre-back. Schmeichel in goal.”
His time at Chelsea was a mixed bag, failing to impress in his first season before shining alongside Frank Lampard in his second, but injuries eventually got the better of him, and the player was released on a free in 2004, before retiring in 2005.
