Former France international Emmanuel Petit, has spoken about a big regret from his playing days.

Petit was at the top of his game while playing for Arsenal in the late 90s. The Frenchman eventually left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2001.

Petit lasted only a year at Barcelona, as it didn’t work out for him at the Blaugrana.

He has now revealed that he left Arsenal for Barcelona because of a woman – a move he now regrets.

In a recent interview with Stadium Astro via Metro, Petit has said his love life affected his career, as he moved to Spain for a woman. It’s something he regrets to this day.

He said: “[It was] for a woman. I always loved Barcelona and [Real] Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in the world. But I should have stayed with Arsenal, definitely.

“You know, sometimes the grass is not greener somewhere else. It’s better to stay where you are when you receive love and happiness and you are successful.

“Why would you leave? Definitely [a big regret]. If I could turn the clock back, I would probably make a different decision.”

After a failed one year at Barcelona, Petit move to Chelsea in 2001, and spent three years at Chelsea. Chelsea was the last club Petit played for before announcing his retirement in 2004.