Ruud Gullit reveals why he didn’t join Arsenal when they came calling

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·17 de febrero de 2026

Ruud Gullit reveals why he didn’t join Arsenal when they came calling

In England, Ruud Gullit is widely regarded as a Chelsea icon, yet his career might have taken a very different path had he accepted an approach from Arsenal as a teenager.

Growing up in the Netherlands, Gullit’s footballing ability was evident from an early age, attracting attention from across Europe. Even as a youngster, he displayed qualities that would later define him as one of the finest players of his generation. Arsenal were among the clubs keen to secure his signature and support his development.

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Early Interest From Arsenal

The Gunners were one of several sides interested in the talented schoolboy and made their intentions clear. Gullit appreciated the recognition but felt the timing was not right to make such a significant move. He believed the interest arrived too early in his career and was reluctant to leave his surroundings at that stage.

He would later go on to represent some of the world’s biggest clubs, including AC Milan, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished players of his era. However, he has now revealed that Arsenal’s approach came during his formative years, when he was still shaping his future in the game.

Credit: Steve Munday/ALLSPORT

Gullit Explains His Decision

Speaking via Metro Sport, Gullit reflected on the opportunity and explained why he chose not to join the north London club. He said:

‘When I was at HFC Haarlem at the age of 17, I heard that Arsenal wanted to sign me.

‘Liam Brady was a scout at the club at the time, and I was made aware of their interest in bringing me to Highbury. There were talks between the two clubs.

‘It was a privilege that such a big club were interested in me at that age, but it was too early for me at that stage in my career, so I turned them down.

‘I just didn’t want to move to the club at that particular point in time.

‘I ended up spending a few more years at Haarlem before moving to Feyenoord, which felt like the right move for me.’

Gullit’s remarks highlight how close Arsenal came to signing a player who would later become one of European football’s most celebrated figures.

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