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Arsenal’s nearly XI
- Updated: July 29, 2016
Paul Pogba seems set to return to Manchester United. But he is just one of many world stars who could have been playing at Arsenal…
It has been another frustrating summer at Arsenal with a number of Arsene Wenger’s transfer targets already turning down moves to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners missed out on Leicester striker Jamie Vardy earlier in the window, while long-term reported target Gonzalo Higuain left Napoli for Juventus in a £75m deal.
They are just the latest in a long line of players Arsenal have missed out on during Wenger’s tenure in north London, with the seemingly Manchester United-bound Paul Pogba, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the star-studded list of names who got away.
Here we take a look at the XI Wenger might have had…
Joe Hart
Wenger was first drawn to Hart’s talents following a loan spell the goalkeeper had with Birmingham during the 2009/10 season.
The Frenchman enquired about the England international’s availability but there was one slight problem, Hart’s parent club Manchester City.
“I remember when Hart played at Birmingham, I asked about him and they told me he is at Man City. I thought he would be the ‘keeper there. He has something that is needed for a goalkeeper to play at a big club and I am not surprised he made it as No 1.” – Wenger in 2011.
Raphael Varane
Varane’s rise from Lens to Real Madrid has seen him make 93 appearances for the Spanish giants and win 29 caps for France.
But Arsenal could have had the 23-year-old at their disposal had Wenger and his scouts acted faster when the player was plying his trade at Lens.
“I’m happy for him because he’s carving out a role at one of the world’s best clubs, which is remarkable. Yet at the same time, when you are in charge of a club like Arsenal, you have to wonder why this player is not playing for us. He was at Lens, and we might well have caught him there.” – Wenger in 2013.
Gerard Pique
In the summer of 2003, Arsenal signed a 16-year-old Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona’s La Maisa academy, but it could have been even better for the Gunners.
Pique, who starred in the same youth team as Fabregas, was also on Wenger’s radar but the Frenchman could not get the deal over the line.
A year later the central defender joined Manchester United and spent four years at Old Trafford before moving back Barca.
“It was at a period where Fabregas came. We wanted to take Fabregas, Messi and Pique. It worked only for Fabregas.” – Wenger in 2014.
Vincent Kompany
Before Manchester City signed the Belgium international in 2008, Kompany was one of the hottest prospects in European football.
Wanted by Barcelona and Real Madrid as a 20-year-old at Anderlecht, Kompany was also identified by Wenger as a potential replacement for Sol Campbell.
However, the Frenchman was beaten to his signature by Hamburg.
“I had meetings with Emilio Butragueno at Real Madrid, the club leaders at Barcelona and by Arsene Wenger himself at Arsenal. But heading to an absolute top club immediately was not the right solution because Vincent is someone who feels alone in an environment where he is not properly valued. Vincent is not a third or fourth choice.” – Kompany’s agent Jacques Lichtenstein in 2014.
Gareth Bale
Arsenal were …
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