Wenger considers Petit return

Arsene Wenger revealed today that he may use Emmanuel Petit on a shortterm basis to help Arsenal through their injury and suspension crisis.

The French midfielder, who won the Premiership and FA Cup with Wenger in 1998, has been suffering from a serious knee injury that required major surgery. Since being freed by Chelsea he has been working on rebuilding his fitness at the Arsenal training centre at London Colney.

Wenger has allowed Petit to use the facilities to help him find another club when he is ready to resume playing. The Arsenal manager may use Petit temporarily as a player but much depends on contract negotiat ions with Edu. Wenger wants his future sorted out before 1 January - the day he can sign a pre-contract with a new club.

He said: "It has crossed my mind to help Emmanuel. He is here to get back to full fitness and find a club. It isn't in my mind at the moment to sign him but maybe he could help us for a few months. I haven't ruled it out. I am just interested in helping him find a club where he could play for one or two years and he will not find that with us. But I know him, I know he is a great player and if Edu goes . . ."

With Edu and Gilberto Silva both injured and Vieira due to be suspended, Wenger is faced with the prospect of playing 17-year-old Francesc Fabregas and 20- year- old Mathieu Flamini against Rosenborg and Chelsea next week.