During his glorious adventure at the head of Arsenal, Arsène Wenger missed several big transfers.
Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie, Alexis Sanchez: Arsène Wenger has seen many beautiful people during his 22 years on the Arsenal bench. Over two decades in which the Gunners have won three Premier Leagues, seven FA Cups and failed in the Champions League (2006) and UEFA Cup (2000) final.
But the list of players the Alsatian almost convinced to join Arsenal is far more impressive than that of successful transfers. For example, the London club was thus close to recruiting Cristiano Ronaldo when he played at Sporting Lisbon, finally being overtaken by Manchester United, but also Lionel Messi, whom the former Monegasque tried to snatch from the Barça in the summer of 2005.
At the end of his career, it was N’Golo Kanté’s failed transfer that gave him the most regrets. “I was told about him when he was playing at Suresnes and nobody wanted him. Finally, he signed with a third division club (Boulogne) and quickly took on the dimension we know him, ”he recently told Ian Wright.
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