£21m Arteta target who rejected Arsene Wenger scores ‘Puskas contender’ against former Arsenal star

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Arsenal have been linked with a lot of strikers over the years, and one shock target has now scored a hugely significant goal.

Arsene Wenger signed several youngsters from Barcelona’s La Masia Academy during his time in charge of Arsenal, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin proving successful, whilst Jon Toral and Fran Merida failed to make an impact.

In January 2014, Arsenal were keen on signing a striker to boost their Premier League title hopes, and Wenger had his eye on young Barcelona forward Antonio Sanabria.

Then 17, the Paraguayan striker was of great interest to Arsenal, but he rejected Wenger’s approach and signed for Roma.

Nearly 11 years later, Sanabria lined up against Argentina for Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier and has just produced a truly special moment.

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Former Arsenal target Antonio Sanabria scores overhead kick vs Emi Martinez’s Argentina

World Champions Argentina travelled to face Paraguay, with former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez between the sticks.

Martinez has won back-to-back Yashin Awards for the best goalkeeper in the world, and has come a long way since leaving Arsenal in 2020.

However, he was completely powerless as Argentina fell to a shock 2-1 defeat, with Sanabria scoring a world-class overhead kick.

The 28-year-old Torino striker humiliated Martinez as he rose in the air, before he connected perfectly to send a fierce shot beyond the goalkeeper.

Spanish outlet AS have described the goal as a direct contender for the Puskas Award for the best goals of the year, and Mikel Arteta may have been very interested in this strike.

Arsenal were interested in Antonio Sanabria in 2023

Sanabria spent time at Roma and Real Betis over the last decade, and has had some fairly impressive goalscoring seasons.

This meant that nine years after he rejected Arsenal, Arteta was reportedly interested in signing Sanabria in the summer of 2023, when he had a release clause of around £21m.

The attacker has scored 39 goals in 163 Serie A games over the course of his career, but whilst he is not usually the most clinical, he does have a lot of technical and physical qualities, as seen with his stunning strike.

A move never materialised, with Arsenal signing Kai Havertz instead, and whilst there will be few regrets over this decision, it is easy to see why Arteta had his eye on the striker when he is capable of scoring goals of that sheer quality.