Ex-Arsenal midfielder Petit after saying France would be better off if Germany won World War

Emmanuel Petit made some controversial comments. Credit: PA

Former France midfielder Emmanuel Petit has been forced to defend himself after stating the country would be better off if Germany had won World War II.

Petit, 44, was defending his former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry, who is unpopular in his homeland.

He described France as being 'hypocritical and cowardly' when it comes to Henry, after it was rumoured might be offered farewell international, before he retires.

"Why not, but people don't like Thierry Henry," Petit said in an interview with the French website sports.fr.

"In England, he has a statue. That says a lot. He is revered over there.

"How can you reproach Thierry Henry? His handball against Ireland? It helped us qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.

"He's done nothing wrong. France is hypocritical and cowardly.

"Sometimes I say to myself that having been invaded by the Germans, we would be better led today."

Henry announced he was leaving New York Red Bulls this week. Credit: PA

After receiving immediate criticism for conferring praise for the Nazi regime he told Yahoo Sport he had only intended to comment on modern-day Germany.

"Germany shows us today that it is better than us, politically, economically and in a sporting sense, and I didn't mean to say anything else," Petit said.

"But I can never stop people from making amalgamations. The Germany that I like, it is that of today. Don't make me say what I wasn't thinking."

Petit believes Henry is far more popular in the UK. Credit: PA

Henry, who won the 1998 World cup and Euro 2000, deserves more credit according to Petit."This bad image of Thierry Henry annoys me," Petit said in the sports.fr interview. "The press never criticises itself, never goes back and never excuses itself. "

Petit compared Henry's plight in France to that of England captain Wayne Rooney.

"Wayne Rooney isn't hated in England even though he hasn't always shown a stiff upper lip on and off the pitch," Petit said. "Thierry Henry has never made any bad gestures on the pitch and has no history in his private life.

"He got screwed by the French press after his handball, and since then he does not speak to the French (media).

Petit believes Henry and Wayne Rooney have a few things in common. Credit: PA

"But look, he speaks very well to the British media. He was an expert during the World Cup on the BBC, he enjoyed it because he loves football.

"In France he has no relationship with the press, so what? Maybe because he wasn't smiling when he scored for Les Bleus.

"There you are, that's what I hate in this country.

"I have a lot of difficulty with the French, I've never seen a people so arrogant, smug, untruthful and hypocritical."