Arsenal have had several near misses in transfer windows over the years.
The Gunners have signed some incredible players, and many of them contributed to helping them win the Premier League title this season.
However, if Mikel Arteta had got all of his targets in every window, Arsenal would perhaps have been champions a year or two earlier.
One such player is Barcelona star Raphinha.
🏆 Which Arsenal player is most deserving of this Premier League trophy?
Raphinha suggests he rejected Arsenal to join Barcelona
Raphinha made a brilliant name for himself when he was at Leeds United.
The Brazilian was so good for the Whites that he had several top clubs fighting for his signature in the summer of 2022.
Arsenal were one of the clubs who tried to sign Raphinha, while London rivals Chelsea were also really keen to land him.
However, the 29-year-old only had one club on his mind back then – Barcelona.
Now, nearly four years later, the ‘unbelievable’ Raphinha has all but confirmed that he chose the Catalans after rejecting Arsenal and Chelsea.
He said, as per GSFN: “I had offers from a Blue team and also a Red team from London… but the best decision of my career was signing for Barcelona.”
You don’t have to be a genius to figure out who the red and blue teams of London are – it’s clearly Arsenal and Chelsea.
You’re Mikel Arteta…who is your NUMBER ONE big summer signing this year?
Raphinha would’ve been an incredible signing for Arsenal
Arsenal have Bukayo Saka on the right wing, and no player in the world will displace him if they move to the Emirates Stadium.
That is why some fans weren’t too upset when they missed out on Raphinha, but the Brazil international can play in other positions too.
At Barcelona, because of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha has had to play on the left wing, and he has been sensational there as well.
Had the Gunners signed him, Raphinha may well have been the solution to Arsenal’s left-wing problems.
Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
