Brazil legend Pele has said that he would like to have played for Arsenal if he had the chance in the current Premier League.
Pele, 74, is arguably the greatest player of all-time and scored 1281 goals in 1363 games during a career with Brazil, Santos and the New York Cosmos in which he picked up three World Cup trophies.
The former Brazil No. 10 is opening an exhibition of artworks dedicated to him in London called “Art, Life, Football” and said he would like to have played under Arsene Wenger in the Premier League.
“Arsenal is a good team to play with,” he said. “I would play for Arsenal if I had a chance.”
Asked which team he would play for in all of world football, he revealed he would like to have teamed up alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.
“Today, Barcelona,” he added. “They are the same style as Santos and Brazil of my day. Almost the same style.”
Arsenal have struggled to assert themselves in the Premier League this season and lost 2-0 to Chelsea last weekend, after having Gabriel and Santi Cazorla sent off.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa attracted a lot of criticism for his role in Gabriel’s red card — which was later revoked — and Pele believes that the Brazil-born Spain international was wrong to do what he did.
“It is not a good message for children,” Pele said. “He didn’t get a red card, but he was charged. It was dirty. Unfortunately so many things like this happen on the pitch and this is not good. That’s clear. It is not good for football.
“I don’t think he always used to play like that. It was one mistake. Everybody can make a mistake. It is not good for football or good for him. But it was one mistake.
“There’s always been bad players and good players. It’s always been like that. But today we have more information and we get it quicker. Of course, what happens today, in life, used to happen years ago, but we didn’t have the information, and it’s the same in sport.”
Credit: espnfc.com
