Over the years there have been some big players in the history of Arsenal, but few can reach the heights set by Emmanuel Petit.
The midfielder only spent three years with the Gunners, but proved crucial in their efforts under Arsene Wenger.
Emmanuel Petit came through the ranks at Monaco, featuring there for nine years before making the switch to Arsenal.
He went on to help the north London side win a Premier League and FA Cup double, before leaving in 2000 to join Barcelona.
Just a one-year stint in Catalonia saw a return to England on the cards with Chelsea, where he spent three years before calling an end to his career.
With one of the most iconic careers behind him, here’s a look at everything you need to know about Emmanuel Petit.
How old is Emmanuel Petit?
Emmanuel Petit was born on September 22, 1970, which makes him 54 years old at the current time of writing.
What height is Emmanuel Petit?
Emmanuel Petit measures in at approximately 1.85 metres – or roughly six foot and one inch tall.
What position did Emmanuel Petit play?
Over the years, Emmanuel Petit was known as a fearsome defensive midfielder in both France and England.
His intelligence and strength allowed him to break up opposition attacks, while his left-footed passing allowed him to conduct play and break teams down.
Emmanuel Petit shirt number reason
Throughout his career, Emmanuel Petit wore the number 17 shirt, making it an iconic look associated with him and his performances.
Reports state that the reason for picking number 17 wherever he went was a tribute to his late brother, who passed away at that age.
Sports career of Emmanuel Petit
Over a 16-year professional career, Emmanuel Petit featured for four clubs predominantly – though he is best known for two of those.
Making well over 200 appearances, the midfielder was well known for his displays at Monaco, where he came through the youth ranks.
Picturing Petit at Arsenal is iconic, while his stint at Barcelona was short and his move to Chelsea came with injuries.
- 1988-1997: AS Monaco
- 1997-2000: Arsenal
- 2000-2001: Barcelona
- 2001-2004: Chelsea
Emmanuel Petit’s stats at AS Monaco
In nine years at AS Monaco, Petit made nearly 300 appearances, going on to cement himself as one of the best in the world while at the club.
| Appearances | 291 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 13 |
Emmanuel Petit’s stats at Arsenal
The switch to Arsenal saw Petit play just over 100 times, helping the side towards a Premier League title and an FA Cup triumph.
| Appearances | 118 |
| Goals | 11 |
| Assists | 24 |
Emmanuel Petit’s stats at Barcelona
Petit only ended up spending one year at Barcelona before deciding to leave Spain in favour of a return to England.
| Appearances | 38 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | – |
Emmanuel Petit’s stats at Chelsea
Finishing off his career, Petit made the move back to England to join Chelsea, spending three years with the London club.
| Appearances | 76 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 7 |
Emmanuel Petit’s trophies and honours list
Emmanuel Petit managed to pick up eight trophies in his career, though they largely came in the earlier years with Monaco, Arsenal and the French national team.
- Community Shield x2
- World Cup
- European Championships
- Premier League
- FA Cup
- Ligue 1
- French Cup
What does Emmanuel Petit do now?
While some players take their hand to management or coaching, Emmanuel Petit has decided to step into the world of sports broadcasting.
The former midfielder can often be seen analysing games as a pundit for a variety of outlets.
Emmanuel Petit’s net worth
Not a lot is known about the net worth of Emmanuel Petit, following on from his playing days in football.
Emmanuel Petit in The Bill
One bizarre bit of trivia, useful for any quiz night or other occasions, is that Emmanuel Petit featured in the British drama The Bill in 1998, playing himself as part of the Christmas special.
Emmanuel Petit’s wife and family
Petit married French actress Agathe de La Fontaine in 2000, with the couple having one child together before divorcing in 2002.
The former midfielder now lives with his partner Maria Servello, with the pair having one child together as well.
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