WOUNDED LYON
Petit: I lost two European finals with Arsene.. he deserves a happy ending beating Marseille in France
EMMANUEL PETIT says winning a European trophy would be the perfect way for Arsene Wenger to say goodbye.
Arsenal legend Petit (right) believes Wenger is haunted by losing three finals, but could still win the Europa League this season.
Wenger lost the 1992 Cup Winners’ Cup final with Monaco and the 2000 UEFA Cup final and 2006 European Cup final during his 22-year Arsenal reign.
The Gunners now have a huge task to reach the Europa League final after Atletico Madrid got a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.
And Arsenal are underdogs to reach the final in Lyon next month.
But Petit, who won titles with Arsenal and Monaco under Wenger, believes the sense of destiny will be a huge factor in the second leg in Madrid on Thursday.
He said: “It would be great for Arsene to play the final in France against Marseille.
“Marseille have one foot in the final.
“It will be a different story in the return game for Arsenal, but, for many reasons, it could be a happy ending for Arsene.
“After the first leg, it’s going to be difficult, but they have a chance.
“It could be a coincidence that, as he leaves the club, he wins a European cup. I hope he can do that, he deserves it.
“But if he cannot do that, then I hope the fans will support him until the end and give him the respect that he deserves. “He needs his team to be 100 per cent fit, both physically and mentally, for the game with Atletico. “Diego Costa will be back in the Atletico team. It will be very difficult. But I think they can do it.” Petit also believes Wenger will find it very difficult to step away from the intensity of managing Arsenal day-to-day to doing nothing. The France World Cup winner is hoping to be part of Wenger’s celebrations at the Emirates for his last home game in charge against Burnley on Saturday.
But Petit also feels that being general manager at Paris Saint-Germain – a link between incoming boss Thomas Tuchel and owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi – is a good fit for Wenger.
He has also received big offers from China and wants to carry on working.
“I can see him managing a whole club – not being a director,” added Petit.
“PSG are very interested in him, they need a profile like Arsene Wenger’s.
“He’s a very honest guy, a very straight guy and I feel he can bring a lot to football again.
“When you look at the players’ behaviour at PSG in the past few years, they need a strong person, with credibility and respected by the dressing room.
“But it’s hard to see him somewhere different – it’s hard to see him managing another club.”
Emmanuel Petit is a Paddy Power ambassador. To read his columns go to news.paddypower.com