Antoine Griezmann once told Arsenal to 'forget it' after a transfer move left him furious. The Atletico Madrid star's Champions League semi-final showdown against the Gunners is deeply personal, fueled by a vendetta years in the making.
A Grudge Born from Indecision
The French forward, now 35, recalled in his 2017 autobiography 'Behind the Smile' how he was left waiting for Arsenal during his time at Real Sociedad. Former Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi contacted his agent, Eric Olhats, expressing interest. However, as the transfer deadline approached, Arsenal failed to act.
"I waited, I waited, and I kept waiting," Griezmann wrote. "When there was no news, Eric called Grimandi, who said that the manager was still interested in me [and] to keep waiting. Finally a few hours before the market closed, he let us know Arsenal would not make a move. I don't like to be told something and for it not to happen. So when Eric told me later that the London club were interested again I told him 'Forget it, after the blow they gave us'."
Revenge on the Horizon
Now an Atletico Madrid legend, Griezmann faces Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals, with Mikel Arteta's side standing between him and a second final appearance. The 2018 World Cup winner is set to leave Atletico at the end of the season for Major League Soccer side Orlando City, but not before he has a chance to settle an old score.
A Stellar Career Despite the Snub
Despite the Arsenal rejection, Griezmann has enjoyed a remarkable career. He is Atletico's all-time leading scorer with 212 goals and 98 assists in 494 appearances, helping the club win the Europa League and reach Champions League and Copa del Rey finals. He also won the World Cup with France in 2018, earning 137 caps and scoring 44 goals. Only Olivier Giroud (57), Kylian Mbappe (56), and Thierry Henry (51) have scored more for Les Bleus.
Griezmann's journey includes a stint at Barcelona, but his legacy at Atletico remains unmatched. Now, he has a golden opportunity to add to that legacy by eliminating Arsenal from the Champions League, a fitting revenge for the snub that sparked his fury over a decade ago.
