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Giorgio Chiellini says he was a 'FOOL' to reject Arsenal as a teenager while playing in Italy's third tier and feared he would 'betray' his boyhood side Livorno before going on to win 13 trophies with Juventus

Giorgio Chiellini has pulled the curtain back on his failed move to Arsenal at the start of his career - admitting he was a 'fool' to reject a Premier League switch.

The veteran centre-back has gone on to become one of greatest in his position while at Juventus and racking up an impressive collection of 13 major trophies during his 16 years in Turin, but the Italian has expressed regret over an early decision in his playing days.

Chiellini started off as a promising defender at Livorno, and in 2001 he attracted interest from Premier League giants Arsenal - who were then a European giant and regular challengers for the title under Arsene Wenger, boasting stars such as Thierry Henry and Denis Bergkamp.