Arsene Wenger never knows when he is wrong , and that flaw has cost the Arsenal manager , according to his former midfielder Emmanuel Petit . Petit , who was part of Wenger 's team at Tuesday night 's opponents Monaco before joining him at Highbury in 1997 , won the double under the Frenchman the next year , and has known the Arsenal boss for three decades . But as well as praising his former manager 's work ethic , the former Gunners star , 44 , also questioned Wenger 's stubbornness and inability to switch off . Arsene Wenger is preparing to take Arsenal back to his old club Monaco in the Champions League . Petit ( right ) worked with Wenger at both clubs , but says his former manager has a striking fault . 'He 's a workaholic , someone who lives for the job , ' Petit told France Football . 'He has a passion , almost pathological , for football . He almost forgets to live his own life . He never disconnects . 'For 35 years he has coached , I 've know him for nearly 30 , and he has never changed . He has another flaw : he does not recognise when he is wrong . ' Petit revealed that , at times of stress , Wenger can be found walking barefoot around the training ground to get back in touch with nature . 'He has tics , ' the Premier League winning midfielder continued . For example , when he 's fuming and needs to think , he must walk barefoot in the grass . He needs to be in contact with the elements , like in The Matrix ! ' Petit signed for the Gunners in 1997 , alongside Marc Overmars ( right ) , and won the double under Wenger . The Frenchmen celebrate winning the league in 1998 , but Petit has said Wenger can be too stubborn . However , the former Gunners midfielder did praise Wenger 's man management and his work ethic . Wenger 's great strength , however , according to Petit , is his ability to get the best out of his players by understanding them on a personal level . 'Before you are even interested in the football player , he is interested in the individual , ' said Petit . 'He attaches great importance to human relations . He is very attentive to detail . ' Petit departed Arsenal in 2000 for a short stint at Barcelona , after playing just one season with the man who would go on to become the club 's record goalscorer , Thierry Henry . But Petit was quick to stress that his compatriot , who has been working back at the club while doing his coaching badges , should not be talked about as Wenger 's successor yet . Thierry Henry , Arsenal 's record goalscorer during two spells at the club , has been tipped to succeed Wenger . But Petit says Henry , who was part of the 2004 Invincibles , should not be thought of as a manager yet . 'It 's way too early to tell [ if Henry can succeed Wenger ] , ' he told RMC Sport . 'We live in a society where fast food is consumed very quickly and we also quickly discard what was consumed . For Henry , as with Zidane , he needs time . 'You do not become a coach just because you pass your degrees . It 's like when you become a parent . One becomes a function of his children , we adapt , we learn about ourselves . So getting the degree is one thing . Become a coach week after week , that 's something else . '
Arsenal face Monaco on opening night in the UEFA Champions League . oz Petit played under coach Wenger at Monaco and Arsenal . Former Gunners midfielder praises his former teammate 's work ethic . Petit also reveals Wengers ' habits that are ' like in the past ' He says Thierry Henry should not be mentioned as Wenger 's successor . Nigel Winterburn : # ##gers seriously challenge for Premier League title in next two seasons . oz HERE for all the latest Arsenal news .