Arsenal legend explains why he regrets horror challenge on Edgar Davids… ‘I don’t know what was in my head’

EXCLUSIVE: Edgar Davids was on the receiving end of a brutal challenge from an Arsenal legend.

While the tackle prevented his rival from putting the ball in the back of the net, the retired defender admits that it wasn’t one of his best moments.

Gilles Grimandi regrets vicious challenge on Edgar Davids

On July 22, 2006, Gilles Grimandi played for Arsenal in Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial match, against an Ajax side, featuring Edgar Davids.

After 61 minutes, the clubs were level at 1-1. Showcasing his brilliance, the Dutchman burst forward, chipped the ball over David Seaman, and looked certain to give the Eredivisie team the lead. However, Grimandi wasn’t having it. The popular player hauled his foe down from behind to prevent Davids from putting his name in lights.

And while ‘The Gunners’ went on to win the match 2-1, the Frenchman still regrets the challenge.

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In an exclusive interview with Sporf, via Swiper Casino Canada, he explained: “When I meet Davids, I feel embarrassed because it’s a bad decision. Sometimes, I meet some Arsenal fans, and we talk about that. I don’t know what was in my head. I was running behind him, and he was taking his time to score the goal. I said, ‘I’m not going to let him score this goal if I have a chance to catch him’. But the only chance to catch him was to make a bad tackle. After I did it, I felt embarrassed, but it was too late. I do not want to show the video to my son because it’s embarrassing.”

Gilles Grimandi reflects on relationship with Arsene Wenger

From his time at Monaco and Arsenal, and in his post-playing career as well, Grimandi got to know Arsene Wenger inside out.

The 55-year-old reminisced: “I spent so much time with Arsene—nine years as a player and 15 years as a scout, so I have loads of memories with him. He lives 100% for football. It’s interesting, but hard to work with him, too, because his commitment to the job is amazing. When he got a result that he didn’t expect, it was quite hard. For me, it was a great experience and a big chance for me to work next to him because he’s one of the most important people in my life.”

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