If translations of an interview with the ever-reliable France Football magazine, Emmanuel Petit is now saying he didn't want to leave Highbury - and has fallen out with David Dein as a result.

"Petit revealed that his agent had phoned him at 4am and told him: 'You've got two days to get to Barcelona and sign your contract'," claims Agence France-Presse.

"I was never asked my opinion," they quote Manu. "I think (Dein) could have warned me. Instead, I was presented with a fait accompli. In the interest of everyone, that of Arsenal and of myself, I accepted a move - but it wasn't easy. In leaving I am losing friends."

We speculated a while back that Petit was missing Arsenal (and perhaps specifically Patrick Vieira) more than he might care to admit. We could take these comments the same way.

UPDATE: we've also had independent confirmation of this story (thanks Trystan!) - but only from a conversation someone overheard in a restaurant a few weeks ago. Mind you, that would be enough evidence for some less reputable websites...