Brazil International Edmilson, has revealed that he almost joined Arsenal in 2000.

Back then, 23-year-old midfielder was moving clubs for the first time after six years spent playing for Sao Paolo.

Tehe Brazilian spoke of how he signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal that summer, but unfortunately work permit issues couldn’t be resolved.

Instead, Edmilson moved to Ligue 1 outfit, Lyon, where he spent four seasons before moving to Barcelona.

While speaking to Sports Keeda, now in his forties, Edmilson remembered his first venture in Europe.

“I played for five-and-a-half years in Sao Paolo so moving was part of a whole process, who won the Copa Libertadores and were world champions,” he said.

“2000 was when I went to Europe. I already had an offer from Arsenal.”

“A pre-contract was signed with them but I had some issues with my documentation so I did not go and instead I went to Lyon.”

“Lyon had a project and they were about to play for the first time in the Champions League.”

“They had the dream of building a team to win that competition and the French league.”

“I had stayed for a long time in Sao Paulo and I decided to join Lyon. It was a safe bet!”

Edmilson made his first senior appearance for the Brazilian national side in the same year he joined Lyon and went to collect 40 caps with 1 goal scored.

In 2002, he won his first and only World Cup. He was selected to play in the 2006 World Cup in Germany but after sustaining a knee injury, was forced to withdraw.

While in Lyon, partnered with Juninho Pernambucano in midfield, he won three consetutive Ligue 1 titles, and a one domestic Cup, making 104 appearances.

The summer of 2004 saw him move clubs for a second time, but this time his destination was Barcelona for a reported €10m. In his debut campaign he played in only six matches as he suffered another injury that moved him to sidelines for several months.

On the final day of 05/06 season he played a part in Champions League final against, Arsenal, in a game we don’t speak about. During his time at Barcelona he’s won one  Champions League and two La Ligas.

In the next four years he played for Villareal CF, SE Palmeiras, Real Zaragoza and Ceara SC, where he eventually retired.