Joe Cole and Michael Carrick are regarded as two of the best to come from West Ham’s academy and both could have wound up at Arsenal.
Cole moved on to Chelsea in 2003 while Carrick got a move to Tottenham after emerging through the Hammers’ youth ranks.
However, things might have been different, with Cole revealing that Arsenal were very much keen on both he and Carrick.
If you could sign ONLY ONE of Tonali, Livramento, or Gordon for Arsenal, who are you taking and why?
Why Arsenal pulled out of a deal to sign Joe Cole and Michael Carrick
Both Cole and Carrick went on to star at Chelsea and Tottenham before both then moved on and enjoyed further success.
Carrick, in particular, shone at Man United and is now the manager at Old Trafford.
However, speaking on the Beast Mode On podcast, Cole has explained that Arsenal actually wanted him and Carrick.
“There were a few clubs that were interested. Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea, the Roman money had come in right,” Cole revealed.
“So Arsenal pulled out, for no reason. It was me and Carrick they were umming and ahhing on. Then they pulled out. Carrick was at West Ham with me.”
Who Arsenal actually signed in the summer of 2003
With Chelsea landing Cole in the summer of 2003 and Spurs signing Carrick the following year, it actually married up with the Gunners becoming the Invincibles.
Of course, no Arsenal fan would change the squad from 03/04 season.
Still, it’s worth noting who the Gunners did sign that summer with Cole on the market. Indeed, it was a relatively low key one.
With key cogs already in place, the Gunners moved to sign Jens Lehmann in goal, a young Gael Clichy at left-back, and inexperienced centre-half Philippe Senderos.
Cesc Fabregas enjoyed his breakthrough that season while crucially, Arsenal tied down both Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires amid interest from abroad.
In the end, not signing either Cole or Carrick mattered little.
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