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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