Manuel Locatelli has dismissed any notion of regret over his decision not to join Arsenal in 2021, despite revealing his admiration for Mikel Arteta. The Italian midfielder was in high demand following his standout performances at Euro 2020, where he played a key role in Italy’s success, scoring two goals against Switzerland in the group stages and featuring as a substitute in both the semi-final and final.
Arsenal was one of the clubs keen to secure Locatelli’s services, reportedly submitting a £34 million offer for the talented midfielder. However, Locatelli had his sights set on a move to Juventus and eventually made the switch to the Turin-based club, where he remains three years on.
In a recent interview with *Tuttosport*, Locatelli was asked if he had any regrets about not joining the Gunners. His response was clear: “No. But I love watching football, and I like watching their games, and I respect their coach, Arteta.” While the 25-year-old has no regrets, his comments indicate a genuine admiration for Arteta and Arsenal’s playing style.
That summer, Arsenal had an active transfer window, bringing in Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and making Martin Odegaard’s loan move from Real Madrid permanent. Despite their interest in Locatelli, the Gunners were always facing an uphill battle to secure his signature due to his desire to stay in Italy.
Giovanni Carnevali, the CEO of Sassuolo, Locatelli’s club at the time, confirmed Arsenal’s bid but emphasized the midfielder’s preference for Juventus. “Locatelli wants to join Juventus,” Carnevali stated. “However, the club needs to reach an agreement with us. We’ll see if there are the right conditions to make it happen; otherwise, he is staying with us. We’ll speak to Juve.” He also mentioned that Locatelli had other offers, saying, “Locatelli also has proposals from Arsenal and another English club that has now joined the race, so he must make a decision, or of course, he could stay with us.”
Locatelli’s decision to join Juventus has seemingly worked out well for him, with the midfielder establishing himself as a key player for the club. However, his recent comments show that while he is content with his choice, he continues to hold a respectful view of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta’s project in North London.