Sign for Arsenal? I’d rather retire, admits Dele Alli

Dele Alli: Wouldn't want to play for Arsenal

Dele Alli: Wouldn't want to play for Arsenal

Dele Alli has endeared himself even more to the Tottenham faithful by saying he would rather quit football altogether than play for north London rivals Arsenal.

The 20-year has enjoyed a stellar season since arriving at the club from MK Dons last summer, making himself a regular fixture in for both Spurs and England.

Tottenham are five points clear of rivals Arsenal, and are on track to finish above the Gunners for the first time since 1995.

And the England took time out of his weekend preparations to appear on the football YouTune channel Copa 90 ahead of Spurs’ all-important title run-in.

When asked to consider the nightmare scenario of turning out for north London rivals Arsenal, the 20-year gave the kind of blunt response that will make Spurs fans well up with pride.

“I’m hanging up my boots, then.”

Alli signed for Tottenham in February 2015 after coming through the ranks at Milton Keynes.

Former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admitted the Reds blew a chance to sign Alli from the then-League One club

And the player, who was this week nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year, revealed he turned down a move to Liverpool in favour of working with Mauricio Pochettino.

“I knew I’d get a chance [to play] if I came here, that’s one of the main reasons I decided to sign for Spurs,” Alli told Spurs TV.

“We’ve got a great manager who does a lot of good work with youngsters.

‘You can see that this season. We’ve got great youngsters in the team and everyone is looking to fight for their place. It has been a crazy year and I never expected it to happen this quickly,” said Alli.