Emmanuel Petit has risked upsetting Arsenal fans with comments over his failed Manchester United transfer.
The Frenchman was part of the Gunners' Premier League and FA Cup double winning side in the 1997/98 season, forging an impressive partnership with Patrick Vieira in the middle of the park.
But in the summer of 2000 he swapped England for Spain, joining Barcelona alongside Marc Overmars.
Although, Petit's time at the Camp Nou was brief. He was back in London a year later as he joined Arsenal's rivals Chelsea.
However, in a surprise admission the former midfielder has said that he should have rejected a move to Stamford Bridge in favour of joining the Red Devils.
At the time there was a heated rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United, spearheaded by Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson so these comments are unlikely to sit well with Gunners supporters.
"Well, Alex Ferguson called me twice, Arsene Wenger came to see me, as did Claudio Ranieri, who I invited into my home and ended up signing for Chelsea," he told Paddy Power Pitch Invader magazine, as per the Daily Mirror .
Petit did offer a reason as to why he wanted to play for one of his former club's most bitter rivals.
"While I was at Arsenal, Man United has a terrific team," he added.
"The way they played, the atmosphere at the stadium, it's totally different to the way it is now. These days Old Trafford has an appropriate nickname - the Theatre of Dreams - and that's exactly what it is: a theatre.
"Back then, you knew you had to be ready in all three of the fundamental aspects. If you weren't ready physically they would smash you on the pitch.
"If you weren't ready mentally, they would put their foot in your face or try to intimidate you, even when you leave the dressing room.
"And, technically, even though they could kick you and almost spit on your face, they could also keep the ball perfectly.
"It was a nightmare - and a pleasure as well [playing against them]."
Had Petit had chosen Man United over a return to the capital he would have added one more Premier League winner's medal to his collection as Arsenal were crowned champions of England in two of the three seasons he was at Chelsea.
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