Former Chelsea player-manager Ruud Gullit claimed he turned down a move to Arsenal, describing the west London club as his "paradise". Champions League-chasing Chelsea will take on title contenders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Dutch icon revealed to Gambling Insider that he rejected the chance to sign for the Gunners while playing for HFC Haarlem, where he featured between 1979 and 1982.

Gullit, 63, said that former Arsenal star Liam Brady was among the club's scouting staff who tried to convince him to sign with the club.

“When I was at HFC Haarlem at the age of 17, I heard that Arsenal wanted to sign me,” he said. "Liam Brady was a scout at the club at the time, and I was made aware of their interest in bringing me to Highbury. There were talks between the two clubs.

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