Pirlo on Ederson’s United move and Arsenal’s ‘deserved’ title | OneFootball

Andrea Pirlo has backed Ederson to make a smooth transition to the Premier League, as the Brazil midfielder closes in on a move from Atalanta to Manchester United.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, via Tuttosport, the Italy great, gave his verdict on a player leaving Serie A for Old Trafford.

“I think he’s a player suited to the Premier League: he’s a runner, dynamic and gritty,” Pirlo said. “I believe he’s a player capable of adapting very well to that league.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 8: Former New York City FC player Andrea Pirlo waves to fans prior to the MLS match against Orlando City at Yankee Stadium on March 8, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images)

Pirlo praises Arsenal’s title and hails Saliba and Gabriel

The former Milan and Juventus midfielder was also asked about Arsenal, who ended a 22-year wait to be crowned English champions before falling to PSG in the Champions League final.

“I think they really deserved the title. They played in a dominant way all season, but they’ve maintained a high level in previous seasons too,” Pirlo said.

“As for the Champions League, they just needed time to reach the final. They deserved to reach the final and I think they have the qualities to win it in the future. They have many talented players. Saka is one of them, Odegaard is another and Rice is also a really important player. But it’s the centre-backs, Saliba and Gabriel, who play at a world-class level and make the difference.”

Pirlo’s assessment carries weight given his own pedigree as one of the finest deep-lying playmakers the game has seen.

His praise for Ederson, a key cog in the Atalanta side that won the Europa League, reflects the growing pull of the Premier League on Serie A’s most coveted talents, while his admiration for Arsenal’s defensive spine underlines what carried Mikel Arteta’s men to the title.

For the Gunners, a first European crown remains the missing piece, and in Pirlo’s eyes the quality to claim it is already there.