Pain in the Arsenal
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When Diego Maradona Came Close to Joining Arsenal

By Ross Kennerley

New Argentina coach Diego Maradona attends a press conference in Glasgow, on November 18, 2008. Diego Maradona says he cannot understand why Terry Butcher continues to harbour a grudge over the 'Hand of God' goal that helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup. Butcher, an England defender in the team that lost the quarter-final match and now Scotland's assistant manager, said on Monday that he would never "forgive and forget" Maradona's action and made it clear he was unlikely to shake the new Argentina coach's hand when the Scots face his new charges on Wednesday. AFP PHOTO/ Michael Hughes (Photo credit should read Michael Hughes/AFP via Getty Images)
New Argentina coach Diego Maradona attends a press conference in Glasgow, on November 18, 2008. Diego Maradona says he cannot understand why Terry Butcher continues to harbour a grudge over the 'Hand of God' goal that helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup. Butcher, an England defender in the team that lost the quarter-final match and now Scotland's assistant manager, said on Monday that he would never "forgive and forget" Maradona's action and made it clear he was unlikely to shake the new Argentina coach's hand when the Scots face his new charges on Wednesday. AFP PHOTO/ Michael Hughes (Photo credit should read Michael Hughes/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Diego Armando Maradona has passed away aged 60.

It doesn’t matter who or where you are, whether you’re a football/Arsenal supporter or not, everyone knows who Diego Maradona is. Hearing of his passing on November 25th, 2020, the whole world mourns the loss of, quite possibly, the greatest footballer ever to have lived.

His death has brought the planet to a standstill. News of his passing comes via Argentinian outlet Clarin, who broke the devastating news.

Maradona is, and always will be, an icon of the game. A mercurial talent with a gift that could only have been bestowed upon him by a greater power, this magician of the sport will live long as football’s biggest superstar.

A career that spanned seven different clubs and saw him amass 312 club goals in 588 appearances, well…the truth is that doesn’t tell us anything. Nothing close to the true magnificence of Maradona.

Remarkably, Arsenal were very nearly one of his ventures. Indeed, Maradona publicly expressed a desire to join the Gunners back in 1982, only to be denied by the Football Association.

Then manager, Terry Neill, wanted to sign the Argentine, although he admitted his efforts were futile and instead opted to sign Charlie Nicholas in 1983.

Speaking about the failed move in 2008, as quoted by Metro, Maradona admitted he would have loved to have seen how the transfer played out. Wouldn’t we all have?

"“They play beautiful football. They break quickly – they defend and attack as one. I am a fan of Arsenal when I am in England.“When I was 19 they tried to buy me and another player from Argentinos Juniors – around the time Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles signed for Tottenham.“But it didn’t happen. I sometimes wonder what might have happened.”"

Instead, Maradona went on to play for Barcelona where he spent two seasons, and then onto Napoli where he earned legendary status.

Can you imagine Diego Maradona lining up for Arsenal alongside Alan Sunderland or Tony Woodcock? Maybe in that second striker role in front of Paul Davis? That would have been unique.

Pepe Ordeal. dark. Next

More than ‘what if?’, this is a case of ‘what was’, though. What Maradona was will never be repeated. Of course, players of otherwordly talent will come around, but they’ll never be Maradona. One of a kind, who is forever etched into the very fabric of football. May he rest in peace.

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