Petit training with Arsenal

Discussion in 'Arsenal' started by Birdkamp, Nov 13, 2004.

  1. Birdkamp

    Birdkamp New Member

    Sep 11, 2004
    Calgary
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Canada
  2. W26 D12 L0

    W26 D12 L0 New Member

    Oct 1, 2004
    Miami
    Maybe...the only thing is that Petit is very unfit and by the time he is fit enough to play in the premier league Edu will only be 2 - 3 weeks away from returning.
    It may be a good idea if we get another injury though
     
  3. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I hate to say it but the nature of Gilberto's back injury makes me suspect that he might not return at all. Back injuries are very painful and can end a career. If Petit is in decent shape, I would be in favor of signing him until the end of the season, if only to have a little veteran depth on the bench. Petit knows Arsenals system and has a great understanding with Viera. Fabregas is great but its really too much to expect him to play the entire season in four competions. I am happy to hear this news as i posted a question about bringing back Petit a few days ago in another thread and got no response. I suspect Wenger read my post and got on the phone with Petit straight away ;)

    My post from Nov 10
    Re: Edu suffers broken foot [R]

    Just a random thought, but is Petit still out of contract or has he found a team? If he were available this could be a great time to return to Highbury for his swan song.
     
  4. Dave_M

    Dave_M New Member

    May 25, 2004
    Enfield
    You know I wouldnt mind seeing Mark Overmars back at Highbury.

    He played in Martin Keowns testimonial at the end of last season and look to be in decent shape.
     
  5. ZiggyGalaxy

    ZiggyGalaxy New Member

    Sep 22, 2004
    Well that makes two of us...
     
  6. babyduck85

    babyduck85 New Member

    Jul 16, 2004
    Malaysia
    wow.. is that for real? that would be extremely sad... don't particularly like his style but i know we need someone like him... and if he's really gone then wenger's gonna need to spend even more money in jan (CD as well)

    anyone who can confirm/deny this would be much appreciated..
     
  7. Gunner Phan

    Gunner Phan Member

    Dec 12, 2003
    Gramercy, NYC

    Dave Winfield (OF) missed the entire 1988 season due to a herniated disc in his back. Ole Steinbrenner traded him b/c he thought Winnie's back was done. All Winfield did was become Comeback Player of the Year in 1989, become the oldest player to hit 100 rbi, hit what would become the game winning double in the 1992 world series, join the 3000 hit club....

    Point being, I would say it may take a while to heal, but Gilberto will be back. However, I do think it would be smart to get some cover (what's up with Edu maybe going to barca?) in cm as well as cb

    gp
     
  8. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think i should add i don't really know much about back injuries, and perhaps should not have speculated on the prognosis for a full recovery. But I do know they are unpredictable and take a long time to heal. Often back injuries can lead to debilitating pain even after they have healed. When a player returns their performance can be limited by the pain of the injury. Anyone remember Larry Bird lying on his stomach next to the bench to rest his back? I hope Gilberto recovers fully and quickly, but I think it would be smart to have a plan B if he is not able to return to full fitness this season.
     
  9. michaec

    michaec Member

    Arsenal
    England
    May 24, 2001
    Essex
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    I'm fairly sure Overmars has retired due to a chronic knee injury.
     
  10. Dave_M

    Dave_M New Member

    May 25, 2004
    Enfield
    Oh really. Didnt even know that. Just wishful thinking anyway :)
     
  11. fedwood

    fedwood Member

    Sep 13, 2004
    Yes Overmars retired with knee prob
    i remember waking up in the morning and looking at soccernet and it said he retired...i dunno why but it felt like a death i was in shock
     
  12. nicephoras

    nicephoras A very stable genius

    Fucklechester Rangers
    Jul 22, 2001
    Eastern Seaboard of Yo! Semite
    If you sign Petit to a 3 month deal, I guarantee that he'll dislocate, twinge, tweak, rupture sprain or strain something in his first game, which would keep him out for two and a half months.
     
  13. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You'd be surprised at the miracles of modern medicine, i've even seen Darren Andertons name on some team sheets lately!
     
  14. arsenal_14

    arsenal_14 New Member

    Oct 2, 2004
    this is my first time writing...but this seems a good topic to reply too...if petit returns and signs a short term contract then it would be great, but i dont think wenger would put him in right away...considering fabregas's recent form, if anything petit would return; he would return to the bench...which isnt so bad considering he has no team. wenger would probably give him a while to get in shape. but honestly i think wenger would make petit sign a one year contract with the option for one more year
     
  15. TheOranje

    TheOranje New Member

    Jun 23, 2004
    He's with Birmingham, and he scored last week against liverpool
     
  16. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Welcome to the board, i lurked here for almost a year before i started posting. Beware though it can be addictive. Wenger is a classy guy and i don't doubt that he is doing Petit a favor by letting him train with the team, but given our current injuries in center midfield, how can Wenger not be thinking about bringing Petit back? It kinda seems like a tryout situation. Petit gets a chance to train and prove he still has it without the embarassment of an official trial. IMO if he is in reasonable shape Wenger will sign him until the end of the season and Petit will have a chance to showcase his talents in at least a few games.
     
  17. Jasonisimo

    Jasonisimo New Member

    Jun 3, 2003
    Boston
    Both Edu and Gilberto are scheduled to be back in February. The earliest Arsenal could sign Petit would be tomorrow, but he wouldn't be match fit until the new year. So... I dont' think Wenger would commit Arsenal to a long-term solution to a short-term problem.
     
  18. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Where is the long term commitment? There's only six months left in the season. Assuming he hasn't been laying in bed eating bon bons for the last six months, he could probably be ready to contribute by Xmas. Between then and Feb 12 Arsenal could have up to 13 games if things go well. What happens if Viera or Fabregas pick up a knock or a suspension in that time? The way I see it signing Petit has a number of advantages:
    1) He's a veteran and knows the Arsenal system
    2) He's available now on a free
    3) He's Viera's favorite midfield partner (according to the 442 interview)
    4) He's got something to prove
    Alot of this depends on Petits fitness, and is very speculative but i think thats what these boards were created for.
     
  19. Jasonisimo

    Jasonisimo New Member

    Jun 3, 2003
    Boston
    Petit is looking for a deal that is longer than for the remainder of the season. And presumably, he'd like to play most of the time. That won't happen at Arsenal, where he's on the pine or worse by St. Valentine's Day. Arsene is not afraid to play either of the young guys, Flamini or Fabregas, although he might not prefer it. The time horizon for Arsenal's potential midfield problem is mid-february.

    So, to summerize, Petit is looking for a good contract or he'll hang up his boots. For Arsenal, such a contract is an 18 month solution to a 2 month problem. I don't see Arsenal going for it.
     
  20. Henrik

    Henrik New Member

    Aug 24, 2004
    I cant see it happening either. Petit was not as good when he was sold, Wenger knew that. Theres a reason why Chelsea wont have him any longer= not good enough.

    We have so many youngsters anyway, and I guess that Wenger is looking at the transfer January window to cover any gaps where it may be needed.
     
  21. DoctorK

    DoctorK New Member

    Jan 8, 2002
    NorthBank, Riverbend
    Antifan's 1-3 are point, set, match in my opinion, but 4 I'm not so sure. Petit could retire now with a most glorious career. I'd love to see him back with the Gunners and don't think Arsene would allow him to train with the side for purely nostalgic reasons.
     
  22. Potatoe985

    Potatoe985 Member

    Aug 13, 2004
    PA
    i think that petit could sign a short contract for this season and then afterward go some where else to get his long term contract. think about it, could win the champions league, prem, fa cup, or carling cup(know that its not a highly thought of competition and the kids often play but he might be used to get fitness). thats 4 possible trophs plus the possibilty to prove himself to get a long term contract. also if he wanted to stick it to chelski cuz they are the main title rivals for the end of the season. over all i think it would be good, even if he wouldn't play till after xmas. but we will have a lot of games between jan-feb that are important. and remember how we play chelski, man u, chelski, pool, toon in 15 or so days last year, if we have something along those lines again he would be a great help.
     
  23. antifan

    antifan Member+

    Aug 14, 2004
    The Scottie
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not surprisingly, i completely agree! IMO Petit probably wouldn't mind picking up another EPL medal with Arsenal (hopefully a CL medal as well), especially while sticking it to Mourinho in the process. Wenger has said he wants to bring Fabregas along slowly so why would he want to start him most of the season, as good as he is he is still a teenager and will likely tire quickly if forced to play too many games. As far as Petit not being good enough for Chelsea, i remember him having a good run with them before a mad russian came in and bought about a dozen other midfielders. Another Chelsea reject named Veron seems to have caught on with a little club in Italy named Inter Milan. One final point, note the timing, Edu is injured on the ninth and Petit returns to training four days later! Just a coincidence? I think not, Wenger knows this player well and is giving him a serious look.
     
  24. nicephoras

    nicephoras A very stable genius

    Fucklechester Rangers
    Jul 22, 2001
    Eastern Seaboard of Yo! Semite
    That's actually not true. If he were able to stay fit, we'd have kept him. When healthy, Petit still exhibits an excellent range of passing and has good vision. The problem is that he's now so fragile, he can't play his preferred physical game in the center of midfield. Against a team that won't press him much, he'd do well. But against a side where he'd have to get stuck in, I wouldn't fancy his chances. I.e., for games against us or ManUtd., he'd be a liability.
    But we didin't let him go because he's not "good enough" - its more complicated that that.
     
  25. nicephoras

    nicephoras A very stable genius

    Fucklechester Rangers
    Jul 22, 2001
    Eastern Seaboard of Yo! Semite
    Why would that "stick it to Mourinho"? Chelse and Petit parted on good terms.

    All of whom are currently more effective players than Petit.

    Yes. Let us know when he starts playing well, or when Inter start winning.

    Good luck keeping him fit. If you take on Petit, you'll need a new doctor as well as a CB over the transfer window.
     

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