Emmanuel Petit has opened up about one of the defining decisions of his career, telling FourFourTwo that leaving Arsenal for Barcelona in 2000 remains his greatest regret.

The French midfielder arrived at Highbury in 1997 after signing for manager Arsène Wenger, and immediately made his mark. In his first full season, Petit helped Arsenal claim a league and FA Cup Double — a landmark achievement that cemented his place among the club's most beloved figures of that era.

He also holds a unique distinction: he remains the only Arsenal player ever to have scored in a World Cup final.

A love affair with English football

Speaking courtesy of Betfred, Petit reflected warmly on what drew him to the game in England. "When I first came to England, I really loved the tradition over there," he said. "I loved it. Back in the day I loved everything. The football, the speed, the total football at times. You never give up and that's something I learned in England. Never give up until the end."

That connection extended beyond the pitch. Petit described the bond he formed with supporters in England as something genuinely irreplaceable. "I loved the link with the fans in England and I would pay good money to go back to those days because I miss that sometimes," he said.

Barcelona regret

When Petit departed Arsenal in 2000, the move to Barcelona seemed like a logical next step for an established World Cup winner. Reality, however, proved far less rewarding. He made 31 appearances under manager Lorenzo Serra Ferrer — who had taken over after Louis van Gaal's exit — but won nothing in Catalonia.

"I do believe that my biggest mistake was leaving Arsenal to move to Barcelona," Petit admitted, in words that will resonate with supporters who watched him thrive in North London.

After just a year at Camp Nou, Petit returned to the Premier League, joining Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea. He spent three years at Stamford Bridge before retiring in 2004.

Petit is not alone in that reflection. A number of celebrated Arsenal figures from the same generation — among them Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, and Marc Overmars — are widely regarded as having produced their finest football during their time in North London, with moves abroad failing to surpass what they achieved at Highbury.