Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit brutally snubbed two big names by naming his best XI from former teammates.
Petit, who won the Premier League and FA Cup double with Arsenal in 1998 before lifting the World Cup with France that summer, joined regular Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher in the studio ahead of the clash Chelsea against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
He is remembered for being one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, having represented Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea during his illustrious career.
Reflecting on that career, the 54-year-old selected his best XI from previous teammates, but there was no room for Patrick Vieira or Tony Adams.
Instead, Petit's defense consisted of Liliam Thuram, Marcel Desailly, John Terry and Manuel Amorós, with Fabián Barthez in the team's goal.
In front of him were Xavi, Zinedine Zidane and Rivaldo in midfield (with Dennis Bergkamp just ahead of them in the playmaker role) and George Weah and Thierry Henry up front.
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit appeared on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.
During the program, Petit named his best XI of former teammates from his playing career
However, there was no room in his team for former Arsenal teammate Patrick Vieira (left)
Explaining his decision to omit Vieira and Adams, Petit explained: 'I could also (include) Patrick (Vieira). But I played with so many great players.
Carragher responded: 'I'm shocked by a couple of names. For me, John Terry is one of the best centre-backs. I'm thinking of Tony, Tony Adams. I've always been a big fan of John Terry. “That’s a big decision.”
Petit replied: “Although I can only take 11 players.” Even in midfield, Patrick, Frank Lampard, for example. Xavi there is only one. I think Xavi in this position…'
“It was incredible,” Carragher quickly interjected.
“It started with us in Barcelona,” Petit continued. 'Sometimes he trained with us. Puyol too. Puyol had a little more advantage over him but Xavi could tell that he had something different, his intelligence, his technique. Personality too. This is the DNA of Barcelona.
'Today, defenders are not typical defenders. These days, when you talk about defenders, Thuram, one-on-one, Desailly, John Terry… you can't get past those guys.
'It's impossible. They are true defenders. They fight for the ball. “It is a nightmare for the strikers.”
Despite leaving Vieira out of his midfield selection, Petit found time to name the Frenchman as his favorite teammate from his playing days.
In addition to his time at Arsenal, Petit also played with Vieira in the French national team
There was also no room for Tony Adams (second from right) in Petit's side on Monday night.
Instead, Petit named former Chelsea captain John Terry in his team's central defence.
'I would say Patricio. Definitely. Because of what we've done, Patrick, yes. William Gallas too. “We are very friends,” Petit said.
Petit and Vieira played together at Arsenal from 1997 to 2000. They formed a very effective midfield partnership, contributing to some of the club's most successful seasons during that period.
They also played together on the French national team, especially during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where France won the tournament.
Petit attracted a lot of attention with his rare appearance on Monday Night Football, as fans took to social media to argue over which famous fictional character he most resembled.
Fans were delighted to see Petit, 54, maintained his signature look and joked about who the French legend looked most like, from popular Lord of the Rings character Legolas to Lucius Malfoy in the film series from Harry Potter.
Petit went on to name Vieira as his favorite teammate from his playing career.
Petit attracted a lot of attention with his rare appearance on Monday Night Football
“Lovely seeing Emmanuel Petit on Sky Sports tonight,” one fan posted on X alongside a photo of Orlando Bloom's portrayal of Legolas from The Lord of the Rings.
Several fans simply praised the 54-year-old's appearance, praising his fashion sense, style and overall manner on Monday Night Football.
One fan posted: 'Looks like Emmanuel Petit could wear 5 random items from a charity shop and still be the best dressed and coolest man in the room!'
Another said: “Great to see Emmanuel Petit on MNF, still looking like a billion dollars, the man is timeless.”