FC Barcelona winger Raphinha has repeated his affection for Arsenal, a year and a half after the Gunners attempted to sign him.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: Raphinha of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the Super Copa de España semi-final match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at King Fahd International Stadium on January 12, 2023. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: Raphinha of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the Super Copa de España semi-final match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at King Fahd International Stadium on January 12, 2023. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Speaking in an interview on TikTok this week, FC Barcelona winger Raphinha answered a number of questions, including one on a club outside of Spain that he likes.

“Arsenal,” Raphinha responded simply.

It’s not the first time Raphinha has answered such a question by mentioning the Gunners. In February of last year, Raphinha was asked what club outside of La Liga he enjoys watching.

“I love Arsenal,” the Brazilian international answered, though he did add that he also likes Paris Saint-German, where his friend Neymar played.

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Leeds United's Brazilian midfielder Raphinha Dias Belloli celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Leeds United at Brentford Community Stadium in London on May 22, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Raphinha Dias Belloli during his spell with Leeds United celebrating after scoring the opening goal at the Brentford Community Stadium in London on May 22, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal attempted to sign Raphinha early in the summer window of 2022, with Chelsea and Barcelona also making moves for the then-Leeds United man.

In the end, Raphinha joined Barcelona, and he’s still playing for the Catalan club today.

Edu explained in late 2022 that his conversation with Raphinha’s agent, Deco, made it immediately clear the player wanted to join Barcelona. Arsenal took a step back to allow things to play out.

“People think we went in too deep about Raphinha, because Raphinha was everywhere,” Edu said.

“It’s fair we had a conversation with Deco because Deco is his agent and I have a good relationship, we are friends. I just said to Deco, ‘can you explain the situation to me for Raphinha?’

“And he was clear, he said ‘Edu, we have a good relationship, I’m not going to lie to you, his idea is to go to Barcelona because his dream is to go to Barcelona, and we [have been talking] to Barcelona since [a] long time ago.’

“Okay, thank you very much (Edu responded). If something happens, just let me know, because I can explore and understand the situation, if not, no problem and we carry on with our relationship.”

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Raphinha (L) vies with Villarreal's French midfielder Francis Coquelin during the Spanish League football match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on February 12, 2023. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP) (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona’s Raphinha (L) vies with Villarreal’s Francis Coquelin during the Spanish League football match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on February 12, 2023. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona and Leeds eventually agreed on a €58m (£49m) fixed fee with €9m of potential add-ons.

Chelsea had a deal in place with Leeds for weeks, but Raphinha held out for the move to Barcelona.

The Brazilian has four goals and seven assists in 20 games (13 starts) for Barcelona this season, averaging a goal contribution every 90 minutes.

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