Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli goes on record to claim he has no regrets about turning down a move to Arsenal following Italy’s Euro 2020 success.
Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli has claimed he has “no regrets” about turning down a move to Arsenal in 2021, in favour of a move to Turin.
Locatelli played a valuable role in Italy’s Euro 2020 success, filling in for the injured Marco Verratti in the Azzurri’s opening two group games.
After helping Roberto Mancini‘s men to a 3-0 win over Turkey, Locatelli then scored twice in the following fixture against Switzerland, as Italy sealed their spot in the knockout stage.
From then on, Locatelli was kept in reserve, but came on as a substitute in the semi-final and final, as Italy were dragged to penalties on both occasions.
The midfielder’s performances attracted much attention that summer, despite being behind Verratti, Jorginho and Nicolo Barella in the pecking order.
One of the clubs was Arsenal, but Locatelli opted to stay in Italy and closer to his hometown of Lecco in Lombardy, by signing for giants Juventus in a €30m (£25m) deal from Sassuolo.
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Locatelli does not regret turning down Arsenal
The 26-year-old continues to be a regular pick in midfield for the Bianconeri in his fourth season at the club, and remains content with the decision he made in 2021.
Speaking to Tuttosport, Locatelli revealed: “I have no regrets for joining Juventus instead of Arsenal.
“But I love watching football, and I like watching their games and I respect their coach, Mikel Arteta.” Locatelli continued.
Juventus have been going through something of a slump during Locatelli’s time at the club, failing to win a title since 2020.
The Italian international did claim his first piece of silverware with the club last season though, as Juventus were crowned Coppa Italia winners thanks to their win over Atalanta.
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Arsenal beat Juventus to a top target this summer
Arsenal did manage to get an Italian target to join the club over the summer though, with the arrival of defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
Like Locatelli, Calafiori had the opportunity to join Juventus, and link up with his manager from the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Thiago Motta, but he was lured to the Premier League to work under Arteta instead.
Calafiori has already endeared himself to the Arsenal fans too, after his exceptional strike brought the Gunners level away to Manchester City on Sunday.
Along with another Italian compatriot Jorginho, Calafiori will be seeking a Premier League title in his debut season in English football, just over 12 months since he was playing his football in the Swiss top flight.