TRAGIC DAY PETIT WANTED TO QUIT

FRENCHMAN Emmanuel Petit will walk out for the FA Cup Final this week with the name of his beloved and long-lost brother on his lips.

And he'll play his heart out for his compatriot Arsene Wenger, who saved him from giving up football during his darkest nightmare.

There are few bonds - even in the long history of English football's greatest showpiece - more poignant than the one that unites Arsenal midfielder Petit and his manager Wenger.

It was forged in tragedy 10 years ago when Olivier, the eldest of three Petit brothers, collapsed and died while playing football at the age of 20.

It may well be strengthened in triumph over Newcastle United at Wembley on Saturday and so - clinching the League and Cup Double - find an enduring place in Arsenal legend.

But, whatever the result, Petit's mother Evelyne, father Jean- Paul and brother David will cling to a victory they still value above all others.

Evelyne told me: "We will be at Wembley together to watch Manu, and seeing him come on to the pitch with Mr Wenger will be very emotional for us.

"Manu was just 17 when Olivier died from a brain haemorrhage while playing in a game near our home outside Dieppe.

"Monaco sent Manu home to us and told him to come back only when he felt he was ready.

"Even though Manu returned to Monaco after three weeks in mourning for his brother, everyone saw he could not come to terms with what had happened.

"He did not want to play football any more. He told us and Monaco he was going to quit and do something else with his life.

"That is when Mr Wenger and his youth coach Pierre Tournier worked so hard to save his career.

"It took many long conversations between them before Manu felt he could go on.

"I will never forget one telephone call from Mr Wenger who told me Manu would always adore football but would also detest it because it had brought death to his brother.

"He made Manu understand that he owed it to the memory of Olivier, who admired him so much, to make the fullest use of his talents.

"Manu has since told me that he thinks of Olivier every single time he goes on to a football pitch.

"And I know it will be the same for the FA Cup Final.

"There was a time Manu could not bring himself to talk about his brother. There was too much pain. But he speaks more easily of him now and that is a great relief to us.

"When you lose a son and have another so young 750 miles away from home it is a terrible worry. That's why I will be always grateful to Mr Wenger, and I am surely it is largely because of him that Manu chose to play in England.

"When we were in Monaco on holiday last summer, the presidents of Juventus and Real Madrid were there too trying to sign Manu.

"It was a big decision for him. He didn't know what to do and his mind was in turmoil.

"So he went away to the Caribbean for a week to get everything clear and, when he came back, he had decided to join Mr Wenger at Arsenal."

Petit's blond ponytail has become a major emblem of Arsenal's Premiership supremacy this season. The athlete and the artist cohabit within his giant frame. But, for football-mad mum Evelyne, it's his warrior spirit that counts most. Even if tears were its first expression.

She added: "Even at seven, Manu wanted so badly to win at football that he would often cry with the ball at his feet during a game.

"They were tears of rage, and they wouldn't stop till he had fought his way back and gained the upper hand.

"He played for a little village team, Arques de la Bataille, like both of his brothers.

"Olivier was a centre forward, David a midfielder and Manu the playmaker.

"One of Manu's teams scored 100 goals in a season and he scored exactly 50 of them as their No 10.

"Monaco actually offered Olivier and David a trial too when we all went down to visit Manu, but they decided against it.

"They used to turn the cellar of our house into their own football pitch as kids and played down there for hours.

"Manu was wanted by all the top French teams. He went to Monaco because they promised to educate him for his 'bac' (French A- levels).

"The trouble was he had a European tie on the same day he was supposed to sit his exams and so missed them.

"He was always keen on law and it wouldn't surprise me to see him study it once his playing career is over."

Petit, who has always wanted a central role in defence or midfield, was often required by Wenger to play left back for Monaco. It made him deeply frustrated.

Evelyne added: "Manu didn't like it. In fact he took it very badly, but Mr Wenger thought it was the right thing to do at the time and insisted.

"The problem was Manu could play anywhere and the French national team manager Aime Jacquet was short of good players in that position.

"I think that is why it happened but Manu is a lot happier where he playing now for Arsenal.

"He would never let something like that beat him. It is not in his character to run away from a challenge."

Petit has survived a frightening lunge by Everton's Don Hutchison to preserve his place in Arsenal's Wembley line-up.

Evelyne said: "It looked terrible on TV. Referees are not strict enough. I am so relieved he can still play in the Final. Not only for him but for ourselves too.

"You know, Olivier's death was such a terrible thing for us. David was playing in the same game when it happened during one of our visits to Monaco to see Manu.

"We have gone through some very bad years together and we know the pain will never leave us.

"But Manu has helped to soften it a little by the brilliance of his achievements. Yes, it's a kind of paradox.

"We started off worrying about him and he has ended up being a great help to us through what he has managed to do in football."

Petit, as most schoolboys know, means 'little' in French. No FA Cup Final will feature a less appropriate name.

The road to Wembley

ARSENAL

Round 3: Port Vale (h) 0-0. Replay 1-1 aet (Bergkamp). (Arsenal won 4-3 on pens.)

Round 4: Middlesbrough (a) 2-1 (Overmars, Parlour).

Round 5: C Palace (h) 0-0. Replay: 2-1 (Anelka, Bergkamp).

Round 6: W Ham (h) 1-1 (Bergkamp pen). Replay: 1-1 aet (Anelka). (Arsenal won 4-3 on pens).

Semi-Final (Villa Park): Wolves 1-0 (Wreh).

NEWCASTLE

Round 3: Everton (a) 1-0 (Rush).

Round 4: Stevenage (a) 1-1 (Shearer). Replay: 2-1 (Shearer 2).

Round 5: Tranmere (h) 1-0 (Shearer).

Round 6: Barnsley (h) 3-1 (Ketsbaia, Speed, Batty).

Semi-Final (Old Trafford): Sheffield Utd 1-0 (Shearer).

LATEST CUP BETTING:

Arsenal 7-4 ON;

Newcastle 11-8.

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