Football was left to mourn the passing of a true great on Monday evening when it was confirmed that Pele had passed away at the age of 82.
Widely considered the best player to have ever graced a football pitch, Pele scored 77 goals in just 92 international appearances for Brazil and was a major part of La Selecao's famous teams that won three FIFA World Cups between 1958 and 1970.
Among several accolades, Pele was voted World Player of the Century in 2000 and named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century. He is even thought to have trailblazed the bicycle kick.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer stance as Arsenal plot second bid
Perhaps unknown to some, however, the former Santos star had previously admitted a soft spot for Arsenal in 2015, even stating that he would have preferred to play for the Gunners over London neighbours Chelsea.
Whilst Chelsea were highly-competitive on all fronts during Jose Mourinho's second spell at Stamford Bridge when asked such a question, the choice was not a difficult one for Pele. "Between Chelsea and Arsenal? I would play for Arsenal if I had the chance," he explained.
"Arsenal is a good team to play for. I like the teams that play open football. Today it is difficult to decide which teams play that way.
"Barcelona are the closest in style to Santos and are almost the same style as Brazil in 1970."
Despite his achievements, Pele opted against a career in Europe before he signed for New York Cosmos of the now-abolished North American Soccer League.
He did, though, admit to not being short of options but pinpointed the role of agents to outline why club movement is more prominent in the modern era.
"I was invited to come to Europe many times, to come to Real Madrid, Milan, Manchester United but I was OK. Santos was the best team at that time.
"But today is different. Because in my time we didn’t have an agent. These days it is not the player, it is the agent who decides where they go to play."
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Mudryk's Arsenal transfer, Saliba's contract, Tomiyasu and Pele
Arsenal's Joao Felix transfer aligns with Edu's genius £30m plan to create success on two fronts
Arsenal's William Saliba contract stance revealed amid Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka hint
Arsenal's Mykhaylo Mudryk reality gives Edu a chance at ideal £31m transfer steal
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
