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Wenger rules out Petit leaving Arsenal
Posted: Friday March 19, 1999 03:10 PM
LONDON (AP) -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says French World Cup titlist Emmanuel Petit will not abandon the Gunners despite his threats Friday to quit English soccer. Petit, who is being targeted by Italian Serie A leaders Lazio, reportedly has said the number of refereeing decisions going against him made him want to quit the English game. "I'm totally fed up with what has been happening," Petit was quoted saying in Friday's Daily Mirror newspaper. "I've just had enough and I won't change my mind." "If I'm going to be shown the yellow card every time I open my mouth or make a mistake on the pitch -- while others are getting away with much more -- I'm wasting my time here." The French midfielder was sent off against Everton last Saturday, his fourth red card in 17 months for Arsenal. But Wenger said Petit, who still has four years on his contract at Highbury, will stay with the defending League and FA Cup-double titlists. "I'm convinced Emmanuel will be at Arsenal next season," he told the Evening Standard newspaper. "The sending off left him very down. Now he faces another suspension and he will miss a big match, the FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United. "We haven't mentioned anything about him leaving." Petit's agent Jerome Anderson said the Frenchman was contemplating his future but wasn't definitely leaving Arsenal. "At this moment in time, it is absolute nonsense to say he is going to quit this and quit that," Anderson said. "It is just not true." "We are dealing with an individual who at times does change his mind. Many great players ... blow hot and cold. "He has had problems with certain aspects of the English game but he has also had some fantastic times in the English game."
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