Arsenal’s transfer strategy under Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar has helped build a top-quality young squad, and there is no panic in the transfer market.
This was far from the case in Arsene Wenger’s final few years in charge. There was chaos at boardroom level, and a limited budget in the transfer market, which meant that his best players would often depart to join rival clubs.
In the summer of 2013, Arsenal fans were fuming. By August, Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer was the only deal the club had completed, and there was little sign of any movement in the market.
Arsenal fans were given a taste of fresh blood coming into the squad in their final pre-season friendly in August, as a trialist played against Manchester City in Helsinki.
Sebastian Perez played on trial for Arsenal against Manchester City in 2013
There was a surprise as Colombian midfielder Sebastian Perez was named on the Arsenal bench against Manchester City on 10th August 2013. He had joined Arsenal on trial earlier that week, and he impressed Wenger in training enough that the Frenchman wanted to see him in action.
Olivier Giroud continued his fine pre-season campaign with another goal, which would set him up well for the season, as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners.
Arsenal fans finally caught a glimpse of a different player as Perez came on for Mikel Arteta in the 67th minute of the game.
The then 20-year-old, who was part of the Colombia side at the under-20 World Cup, wore the number 32 shirt, and played in a defensive midfield role for the rest of the game.
Perez actually impressed with some of his passing and dynamism, and with Arsenal needing a reinforcement in midfield, fans were eager to see him stay.
Why Arsenal did not sign Sebastian Perez after trial in 2013
Much to Wenger’s frustration, Perez did not sign for the club after his trial, as he could not gain a work permit to facilitate a move from Atletico Nacional.
“Yes, I spent a month at Arsenal in England. They saw me in person at the under-20 World Cup with Colombia and I was included. I had an opportunity to play a friendly against Manchester City,” Perez told Gol Caracol a few years later.
“But to play in the Premier League there are special requirements and among them… well, if you don’t have a European passport, you must have a certain number of matches for the first team in your country. At that time I didn’t play for the national team, I played for the under-20s, so unfortunately I didn’t make it and I returned to Nacional.”
What happened to Sebastian Perez after Arsenal trial?
Arsenal brought Mathieu Flamini back to the club that summer, and the midfielder would go on to spend three more years at the Emirates before launching a successful environmental company.
This meant that after his work permit was rejected, Arsenal dropped their interest in Perez despite being impressed on his trial.
Perez would go on to play for Atletico Nacional until 2016, before he moved to Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
Now 31 years old, Perez is currently plying his trade at Portuguese side Boavista, and he has also made 10 appearances for the Colombia National Team in his career.
Many may wonder how differently his career could have ended up if he did join Arsenal that summer. Arsenal still needed a defensive midfielder, and perhaps he could have helped Wenger’s side sustain the title challenge they launched that season after the arrival of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.
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