“They all said no” – Arsenal player names the 4 clubs who rejected him

Arsenal youngster Alexéi Rojas has detailed the four clubs who rejected him earlier in his career before joining the Gunners in 2019.

El Tiempo have interview with the 20-year-old today in which he explains his early career rejections from Chelsea, Norwich City, Watford and Crystal Palace.

Chelsea, Norwich, Watford and Crystal Palace

Rojas has ben at Arsenal since 2019 when he joined their youth side on a free transfer from Chelsea’s youth setup.

He’s since worked his way up the ranks at the Emirates, playing for their U18 and U21 sides over the last seven years. Those moves, though, came after rejection from clubs around England.

“I believed I was good, that I had the talent, yet I faced constant rejection,” he said.

“Chelsea, Norwich City, Watford, Crystal Palace… they all said no. And at that point, you start to doubt yourself. You wonder if you truly have what it takes. But it was also a period that taught me a great deal.

“First and foremost: the value of family. My parents and my brother never stopped believing in me. Even when I doubted myself, they didn’t. And that is what sustains you. And secondly, it lies in understanding that things don’t always come when you want them to.

“Today, I see it this way: those “no”s were necessary for me to grow, so that I would be ready when the right opportunity finally arrived.”

Arsenal lesson

Alexéi Rojas may have learned lessons from his rejections, but he was also taught a valuable one by the scout who took him to Arsenal.

He had spotted the youngster and was keen, given the goalkeeper eventually ended up in the Gunners youth set up. But he provided the Rojas with a valuable lesson before he signed him up.

“The scout who spotted me explained that he didn’t just watch me during tough matches, but also during a very easy one, a game we won 10–0,” he added.

“He wanted to observe my concentration, my attitude, to see if I pushed myself just as hard, if I respected the game. He also watched me during a very tight match.

“That taught me something crucial: you have to perform at the same level in any context. Consistency is what truly makes the difference.”

Now it’s down to Alexéi Rojas to prove that scout was correct, and Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Watford and Norwich City were wrong.