Three-time Premier League winner still regrets that he never played for Arsenal

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During Arsene Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal, it was a running joke that the Frenchman almost signed every new emerging talent in European football.

But in reality, that was the truth, contrary to Graeme Souness’ interpretation, Wenger was obsessed with his work at Arsenal, and he rarely left any stone unturned.

Wenger made plays for all of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe – it’s not a bad list.

However, it was a bit different with former Barcelona and Manchester City player Yaya Toure who actually had a trial at Arsenal.

Whilst Kolo Toure did sign for the Gunners, his brother never signed a contract with Arsenal despite wearing the club’s colours against Barnet in a pre-season friendly.

Yaya Toure says it was ‘unfortunate’ that he never became an Arsenal player

After a move to Arsenal never materialised, Toure eventually went on to win a Champions League medal with Barcelona and three Premier League titles with Man City – teams he was a vital part of.

That being said, when speaking in an interview with FUTBIN, Toure has now reflected on that missed opportunity, saying he was seriously disappointed that he never played for Arsenal.

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Toure said: “Yeah I had a trial at Arsenal, six months, six months I think. That trial made me realise I have a chance in the Premier League to be honest. That trial made me realise I can compete at a high level.

“Waking up every morning and training with Vieira, Henry, Wiltord, my brother, Sol Campbell, Ray Parlour, all these legends of football, it made me feel proud.

“After the trial it didn’t go well, I went back to Belgium, but in the back of my head I thought I needed to go back to England. Unfortunately I didn’t end up back at Arsenal, but in the Premier League I really wanted to taste it.”

Arsene Wenger says Yaya Toure actually rejected Arsenal

Interestingly, Wenger recalls the situation that saw Toure never join Arsenal quite differently.

Speaking back in 2014, Wenger said that Toure had an agreement with Arsenal but he preferred to go to Ukraine to join Metalurh Donetsk instead.

Wenger said: “It would be up at the top [of my list of regrets]. But let’s not forget that Yaya Toure had an agreement with us – and it’s not because we did not want to sign him that he went to Ukraine.

“We needed to wait for his passport in Belgium. We have made mistakes but he is not a mistake, it’s just the fact that he preferred to go to Metalurh Donetsk. He could go there without any passport.”

It would certainly be interesting to hear Toure’s reaction to Wenger’s words, a situation that ultimately seemed a bit messy.

But either way, it is a shame that Arsenal were never able to enjoy the famous success of the Toure brothers, a pleasure that only Man City enjoyed.