The American, Dick Law, still clearly remembered Arsenal's glory days at the turn of the century.
He hadn't started out in the football industry. But thanks to his numerous contacts in the Brazilian football world, he had a chance encounter with Arsenal's then-vice chairman, David Dunn. Still, he never imagined that he would one day enter the professional football scene.
Let alone cross the ocean to the United Kingdom to work for Arsenal.
After the final of the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, he suddenly received a call from David Dunn, asking if he had the connections to get in touch with Gilberto Silva.
"Wenger is desperate to get him, but you know, we aren't familiar with the Brazilian transfer market."
That was understandable.
In 2002, Brazilians and the Premier League seemed utterly incompatible.
