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Manuel Neuer says Arsenal wanted to sign him but he rejected them for one reason

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Arsenal have missed out on several great players over the years.

The Gunners have always been among the biggest clubs in the world, and they have signed superstars in the past. But Arsene Wenger could easily write a book on the players he tried and failed to sign.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the biggest names Arsenal missed out on, and now, Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer has revealed that he was one of them too.

He rejected Arsenal for a very valid reason.

Arsene Wenger tried to sign these players and missed out. If you could bring one to Arsenal today, in their prime, who are you choosing and why?

Big names Arsene Wenger tried to sign for Arsenal and failed:

Arsene Wenger looks crestfallen during Arsenal v Manchester United in the Premier League clash.
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Manuel Neuer explains why he snubbed a move to Arsenal

Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

The 39-year-old, who has won it all at Bayern over the years and even lifted the World Cup with Germany, has spent all of his career in the Bundesliga.

He started at Schalke before moving to join the Bavarians in 2011, where he has become an absolute superstar.

Manuel Neuer celebrates during a Bayern Munich game
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Before that move took place, Neuer has revealed that he had an offer to join Wenger’s Arsenal.

However, doubts over a lack of game time in England made him reject a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking on At Broski – Die Sport-Show, the goalkeeper said: “But I didn’t want to go abroad because I knew it would be difficult as a youth international goalkeeper.

“You might not be able to really establish yourself in England. You need to have a good reputation to become the number one.”

If Arsene Wenger had signed Manuel Neuer before he went to Bayern Munich, how many trophies would Arsenal have won?

Manuel Neuer warming up before a Bayern Munich game
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

David Raya could reach Manuel Neuer’s level at Arsenal

In the years that Arsenal had Lukasz Fabianski, Wojciech Szczesny, Vito Mannone, David Ospina, Petr Cech and Bernd Leno, Neuer would’ve been a huge upgrade.

The German could’ve made a massive difference for the Gunners, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Arsenal now have David Raya in goal, and he is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world at this moment.

The Spaniard is great with his feet, a tremendous shot-stopper, and has saved Mikel Arteta’s side on plenty of occasions.

Raya is not at prime Neuer’s level yet, but he is still only 30 years old, which is fairly young for a goalkeeper. We are convinced he could become as good as the German in the coming years.