Giorgio Chiellini regretted not joining Arsenal

Giorgio Chiellini had the opportunity to join Arsenal at 16.

The Italian defender reveals that the Gunners tried to sign him when he was 16.

The 36-year old Juventus legend joined the Old Lady in 2005 and went on to win nine Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia trophies.

He turned down the opportunity to play for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal because he did not want to leave boyhood club Livorno.

Chiellini says: “In hindsight, I was a fool to decline that offer. I was 16, I played in Serie C, I got a huge offer.

“I didn’t feel ready. If I had accepted, it would have given the impression of betraying Livorno.”

Even Arsenal legend Robin Van Persie tried to persuade Wenger to sign the Italian centre-back.

Van Persie said: “At a given moment I felt called upon to say what Arsenal could do better in order to win the league. I felt we lacked a winning mentality, and asked Arsene Wenger to sign Giorgio Chiellini.

“I have played against him a few times, and he is a genuine winner.

“He is 36 years old, but he’ll dish out nine elbows every game with a smile on his face. He’ll keep smiling and never get a yellow card. You need those types of winners and killers in your side. I felt we should get him.”

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