Emmanuel Petit has slammed France as a “cowardly and hypocritical” nation over its treatment of Thierry Henry.

In an astonishing outburst, the ex-France international labelled his compatriots as “arrogant, smug, lying and hypocritical” people, admitting he sometimes thinks “if we’d been overrun by the Germans [in World War II], we’d be better run”.

It comes after Henry, who scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for his country, announced he would be leaving New York Red Bulls, sparking rumours he could return to Arsenal.

Speaking to Sports.fr, Petit, who spent a season at Arsenal with Henry in 1999-2000, lamented the lack of respect and admiration shown to Henry in France.

Arsenal Training 8 show all Arsenal Training 1/8 Feeling Chile? Alexis Sanchez gets used to England's December temperatures 2/8 Arsenal training Lukas Podolski and Alexis Sanchez prepare for Southampton visit 3/8 Feeling snood Yaya Sanogo shares a joke in training 4/8 Fit and firing Olivier Giroud is set for his second start since injury 5/8 Santi Claus Cazorla and co getting in the swing of things ahead of a packed festive period 6/8 French connection Arsene Wenger and Olivier Giroud 7/8 Give me a start! Podoslki has become frustrated with his limited playing time this season 8/8 Ice Pold Lukas Podolski is wrapped up in training 1/8 Feeling Chile? Alexis Sanchez gets used to England's December temperatures 2/8 Arsenal training Lukas Podolski and Alexis Sanchez prepare for Southampton visit 3/8 Feeling snood Yaya Sanogo shares a joke in training 4/8 Fit and firing Olivier Giroud is set for his second start since injury 5/8 Santi Claus Cazorla and co getting in the swing of things ahead of a packed festive period 6/8 French connection Arsene Wenger and Olivier Giroud 7/8 Give me a start! Podoslki has become frustrated with his limited playing time this season 8/8 Ice Pold Lukas Podolski is wrapped up in training

“In England, they’ve built a statue of Thierry,” Petit said. “That means a lot.

“He’s adored there. It bothers me.

“What can we reproach Henry for? His handball against Ireland? He helped France qualify for the World Cup in South Africa. He has done nothing.

“France is hypocritical and cowardly. Sometimes I think that if we’d been overrun by the Germans, we’d be better run.

“He’s not hated, but he’s certainly not loved. He got screwed by the French press after his handball and has since not spoken to the French media.

“In France, he has no collusion with the press, so what? Perhaps because he was not smiling when he scored for Les Bleus! Well, that’s what I hate in this country.

“I have great difficulty with the French. I have never seen such arrogant, smug, lying and hypocritical people.”