manyoolova
12-03-2004, 05:47 PM
Wenger considers moving for Petit
Petit was released in the summer after three years at Chelsea.
Arsenal could re-sign former star Emmanuel Petit on a short-term deal to ease the midfield crisis at Highbury.
Patrick Vieira, Gilberto and Edu are all out of next week's Champions League tie against Rosenborg and the Premiership title clash with Chelsea.
Petit, 34, who left Arsenal in 2000, is training with the Gunners and could join immediately as a free agent.
"It isn't in my mind at the moment to sign him but maybe he could help us for a few months," said Wenger.
The Arsenal manager added: "I haven't ruled it out. It has crossed my mind to help Emmanuel."
After leaving Highbury, having been part of the 1998 Double team, Petit spent one season at Barcelona and then three seasons at Chelsea.
But he was released by the west Londoners at the end of last season and struggled to find a club because he needed major surgery on a knee problem.
Wenger allowed his fellow Frenchman to train with Arsenal while he regained his fitness but now, with Vieira suspended for those two crucial games and Brazilian duo Gilberto and Edu injured, the manager might turn to Petit.
If he does not bring Petit back, Arsenal's central midfield for the crunch December fixtures will consist of 17-year-old Francesc Fabregas and 20-year-old Mathieu Flamini.
There is an added complication with Edu, as his contract expires at the end of this season which means the midfielder, linked with Barcelona, could leave in January.
"He (Petit) is here to get back to full fitness and find a club. I am just interested in helping him find a club where he could play for one or two years and he will find that with us," Wenger told the London Evening Standard.
"But I know him, I know he is a great player and if Edu goes..."
Petit was released in the summer after three years at Chelsea.
Arsenal could re-sign former star Emmanuel Petit on a short-term deal to ease the midfield crisis at Highbury.
Patrick Vieira, Gilberto and Edu are all out of next week's Champions League tie against Rosenborg and the Premiership title clash with Chelsea.
Petit, 34, who left Arsenal in 2000, is training with the Gunners and could join immediately as a free agent.
"It isn't in my mind at the moment to sign him but maybe he could help us for a few months," said Wenger.
The Arsenal manager added: "I haven't ruled it out. It has crossed my mind to help Emmanuel."
After leaving Highbury, having been part of the 1998 Double team, Petit spent one season at Barcelona and then three seasons at Chelsea.
But he was released by the west Londoners at the end of last season and struggled to find a club because he needed major surgery on a knee problem.
Wenger allowed his fellow Frenchman to train with Arsenal while he regained his fitness but now, with Vieira suspended for those two crucial games and Brazilian duo Gilberto and Edu injured, the manager might turn to Petit.
If he does not bring Petit back, Arsenal's central midfield for the crunch December fixtures will consist of 17-year-old Francesc Fabregas and 20-year-old Mathieu Flamini.
There is an added complication with Edu, as his contract expires at the end of this season which means the midfielder, linked with Barcelona, could leave in January.
"He (Petit) is here to get back to full fitness and find a club. I am just interested in helping him find a club where he could play for one or two years and he will find that with us," Wenger told the London Evening Standard.
"But I know him, I know he is a great player and if Edu goes..."