Two decades ago, Emmanuel Petit played in the iconic Arsenal v Manchester United clash of modern times, in the 1999 FA Cup final.
Manchester United won 2-1 with Ryan Giggs scoring a wonder-goal winner, after Peter Schmeichel had saved a penalty, on their way to winning the treble.
While Petit says it is impossible to say whether the fixture - played again in the FA Cup on Friday night in the fourth round - carries as much lustre now as 20 years ago, he has no doubt which era had the superior teams.
Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, the 48-year-old, who played for Arsenal between 1997 and 2000, said: 'It would be ridiculous to make comparison to teams of 20 years ago, football has changed a lot.
'What I would say is that our team in 1998 against the current side, with fully fit players, we would destroy them. Same for Manchester United: Giggs, Scholes and co against this current team, they would trounce them as well.
'I don't say that because it was better back in the day, but because of personality, mentality, team spirit, there is no comparison.'
Petit, who won the double with Arsenal as well as the 2002 World Cup for France, is similarly scathing of the situation surrounding Mesut Ozil, who he feels is 'not there any more mentally' and is wasting his talent at the club.
Ozil has found himself out of favour at Arsenal this season, with manager Unai Emery leaving the £350,000-a-week midfielder on the bench or out of his squad amid concerns over his attitude and application.
Petit has a certain sympathy for his struggles, saying they can be traced partially to Germany's humiliating exit from the group stage of the 2018 World Cup - for which Ozil took a lot of flak - which mirrors the Frenchman's own experiences in Japan/Korea.
However, he feels Ozil has downed tools for too long, and is wasting the 'luxury' of both his skill and the trust of the club.
Petit said: 'It is very frustrating. I cannot remember the last time he was an artist on the pitch; now when he asks questions we already know the answers. He is a wasted talent, he has a terrible psychological problem.
'In 2002, when the French team went out as champions, it was shameful, not just that we lost it but the way we lost it. It is the same with Germany in 2018. Ozil was seen as one of the most responsible for that because of his body language on the pitch.
'But it was already the case for Ozil for the last two years for Arsenal – one great game, four average. Mentally he is not there anymore. Physically he is in good shape, he has talent, we all know his quality, but if you cannot work your brain to be the beautiful player we know you can be, it's over.
'If I was Ozil, when you have won so many things - the World Cup - it's human that if you are not starting, you stop working, you do not have any targets any more. I can understand that, I was the same at the end of my career, but for me I had a lot of injuries that could have stopped me.
'He has the luxury to still be in shape, to be appreciated by his club, he signed a new contract, they gave him what he wanted. The least he could do is pay back that confidence.'
Petit is also unhappy that Arsenal are allowing another of their leading midfielders, Aaron Ramsey, to leave the club on a free, the Welshman seemingly destined for Juventus next summer after the London club could not agree a new deal.
The former midfielder, who played for Arsenal between 1997 and 2000, says Ramsey's performances this season are not typical of a player who wants to leave - and blasted the club for not tying down one of their best players when they have such a poor track record of signing quality replacements.
Petit said: 'It's a mistake, he's so important for the blood of the club. On top of that he is a quality player, he has the right mentality. Sometimes he is in from the beginning, other times from the bench, always with the same spirit. It's not typical of a player who knows in a few months will be free, it proves he wants to stay at the club.
'When I see how bad Arsenal have been in the transfer market, and they have a player like this at the club, is there really nothing they can do to keep him?'
Fans have been left frustrated by Emery only being able to sign players on loan this month, however Petit feels the club needs to lose some deadwood before they consider recruiting replacements.
He said: 'The first step Arsenal should take before buying any players is get rid of some, on loan or sell. You need to get some space into the team. Then you know how to make squad better for next season.
'I want to see players who will take the ball and charge down either wing, players with character and identity. They don't need to be the best players, it means you have to bring the mentality into the team.'
Petit also played for Chelsea for three seasons at the end of his career, and was scathing of their recent performances under Maurizio Sarri.
After their defeat to Arsenal last weekend, Blues manager Sarri said the group of players was 'difficult to motivate' - the reason for which Petit feels lies with their style of play.
He said: 'I watch them so often recently, every time I see them I'm bored, and I presume the players are bored as well on the pitch. When a player is not happy, don't be surprised if they are not motivated, and we are not talking about money.
'I saw what Sarri said, this is a bad message. The player are responsible on the pitch, but Sarri is responsible for the team.'
Looking ahead of Friday night's match, the former midfielder feels the fixture has less lustre due to the diminished status of the cup, it does have the potential to have a major psychological impact on the seasons of both clubs - especially United.
Petit said: 'United won at Spurs, now they have an opportunity to send another message to the Champions League competitors, show they are not the same team they were under Mourinho any more.
'If they win against Arsenal at the Emirates, where Arsenal are so good, like Liverpool and Manchester City did at the start of the season, if they win they send a strong message that they are competing for the last ticket to the Champions League.'