New Arsenal signing brings back painful memories of Emirates

Arsenal goalkeeper Neto recalls a moment against the Gunners when he ‘wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out’.

The experienced goalkeeper signed for the 13-time English champions from Bournemouth this summer and will now replace number 1 David Raya after Aaron Ramsdale was sold to Southampton.

Neto grew up watching Arsenal as a young player in Brazil, telling the club’s official website that Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, ​​​​Edu and Gilberto Silva were among his idols.

However, Neto has not enjoyed playing against Arsenal in the past, losing all four meetings with the Gunners to Valencia and Bournemouth combined.

Neto recalls painful Arsenal memories

It was a Premier League clash when I played for the Cherries in March 2023 that hurt the most.

Bournemouth took the lead in the first minute through Philip Billing, while Marcos Senesi made it 2-0 just before the hour.

However, Arsenal hit back with strikers in the 62nd and 70th minutes: Thomas Partey and Ben White.

It looked like both teams would have to settle for a point until Arsenal substitute Reiss Nelson fired in the winning goal in the seventh minute of second-half injury time.

As the Emirates descended into chaos, Neto wanted nothing more than to hide out at the club he grew up loving.

“I remember that day – my family came to watch the game, my two kids and my wife – and we played really well against Arsenal, they were also first in the table,” Neto recalled. “I remember when I finished the game, I came home and we were struggling in the table and I just thought to myself that I wanted to crawl into a hole and not come out, because we had a chance (to win) and then it was over.

“It was a really nice game and now that I’m here I can enjoy it and try to deliver some important performances for this club, which is great.

“To all Arsenal supporters, I just want to say that I am a fan here. My dream has come true, I am really happy and I count on myself, I will give more than 100% to give everything for Arsenal.”