Rivaldo urges Richarlison to consider Arsenal as postential destination

Brazilian footballing legend Rivaldo has urged current international and Everton forward Richarlison to reconsider his stance on a possible move to Arsenal this summer.

Per reports in Football365, the former Ballon d’Or winner (1999) views Arsenal as a “good option” for Richarlison, who is set to push for a move away from Goodison Park this summer after informing boss Frank Lampard and the club brass of his intentions to seek greener pastures.

“He looks set to leave Everton, with several big clubs interested, and Arsenal looks a good option for the forward.”https://t.co/wED44Tu8io

— Football365 (@F365) June 10, 2022

But for Rivaldo, the notion that Richarlison has turned his nose up at Arsenal – who are without Champions League football next season – should be a stance that is reconsidered.

“This could be a big summer for Richarlison and his compatriot Edu, who is the technical director at Arsenal, could be crucial in a potential move to the Gunners.”

“He looks set to leave Everton, with several big clubs interested, and Arsenal looks a good option for the forward. The Gunners have Edu as their director and, after working with Tite until 2019, the ex-Arsenal midfielder knows Richarlison very well from the Brazilian national team.”

“Joining a club that fights near the top of the Premier League could be important for Richarlison, after a tough season with Everton, in which he was crucial to saving the club from relegation. If he gets a big move, he will have a better chance of becoming a first choice forward for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Richarlison of Everton celebrates after scoring goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on May 19, 2022 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Richarlison, who scored 10-goals and added a further 5-assists while helping Everton successfully avoid a catastrophic drop down to the Championship, has initially parried away any possible move to Arsenal in favor of interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.

However, with Arsenal heavily in the hunt for a new leading number 9 at the Emirates Stadium under Mikel Arteta, first-choice minutes could be more readily attained in north London ahead of Paris or Madrid which could aid in his push to feature prominently for Tite as Brazil look to secure their sixth World Cup win this coming winter in Qatar.

Arsenal has already been linked with a host of possible summer options to lead the line next season in the vein of Victor Osimhen, compatriot Gabriel Jesus, former starlet Serge Gnabry, and Sassuolo standout Gianluca Scamacca.

But with Richarlison already acclimatized to Premier League football while Arsenal constitutes a considerable jump in profile, the Brazilian international could do well to heed the words of one of his country’s greatest ever players.