08 October 2023 , 07:00
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Arsene Wenger pulled off plenty of iconic signings during his legendary Arsenal tenure, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is definitely one who got away.
The former PSG and Manchester United striker is widely recognised as one of the greatest forwards of his generation and won a remarkable 34 trophies during his career. And although the Sweden star eventually got his chance to light up the Premier League with United back in 2016, that opportunity could - and perhaps should - have come a lot sooner.
During an interview with Piers Morgan, Ibrahimovic revealed Wenger was keen on signing him for Arsenal and the two even met in person to discuss a potential move. However, the 42-year-old's reluctance to undergo a trial scuppered any chance of a deal.
Given that Wenger was at the helm for 22 years, Ibrahimovic wasn't the only superstar the Frenchman missed out on. Here, Mirror Football recaps five other big names who decided against a move to the Gunners.
Yaya Toure
Toure won three Premier League titles with Manchester City, but he almost signed for Arsenal alongside his brother, Kolo Toure.
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The Ivory Coast star featured for the Gunners against Barnet during a trial match during the Wenger era but ended up moving elsewhere. He did, of course, go on to have a highly successful career with the likes of Barcelona and City.
While Wenger missed out on Yaya, Kolo became an integral figure for Arsenal and played a key role in 'The Invincibles' team who went the entire season unbeaten in the 2003/04 campaign.
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso was desperate to join Arsenal, according to Cesc Fabregas (Marius Becker/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)Alonso lit up the Premier League with Liverpool, but Cesc Fabregas was adamant his international colleague was desperate to join the Gunners.
The Spain international was close with Fabregas, who excelled at Arsenal. And the former Gunners talisman revealed that Alonso was in constant contact with him over a potential move before he decided to link up with Liverpool.
"He was texting me all the time," he told the Arsecast podcast. "I remember the whole holiday I was talking to him, he was texting me: 'What’s happening?' And it was a shame, because I think he would have been a great, great, great addition to that team.
"He was made for Arsenal, I think."
Virgil van Dijk
Arsene Wenger scouted Virgil van Dijk prior to his move to Liverpool (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)After earning rave reviews at Celtic, the Gunners scouted Van Dijk prior to his big move to Liverpool - but concerns over the Dutchman's body language deterred the Londoners from firming up their interest in the imperious defender.
"Arsenal’s chief scout [Steve Rowley] thought he was too nonchalant," claimed former Celtic assistant manager John Collins.
"Maybe that was part of his game but he ticks so many of the other boxes. He’s got pace, power, balance, distribution and he’s good in the air. He can be a bit nonchalant but he is a quality player."
N'Golo Kante
Wenger tried to sign N'Golo Kante twice during his legendary Arsenal tenure (AFP via Getty Images)Kante won the Premier League with both Leicester and Chelsea after being lured to England, but he turned down the opportunity to link up with Wenger in north London twice.
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Leicester snapped Kante up from Caen back in 2015, but the all-action midfielder was already on Wenger's radar. And he revealed he also tried to beat Chelsea to a deal for the midfielder before his switch to Stamford Bridge.
“When he was in France, and when he was at Leicester,” Wenger said previously when he was asked whether or not he tried to sign his compatriot. “I cannot explain everything but it is quite obvious when you look where he has gone. I do not want to talk about it, transfers are transfers. You cannot explain absolutely everything.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo was "very close" to joining Arsenal (Piers Morgan Uncensored)Ronaldo made his name with one of Arsenal's most bitter rivals - but the Portuguese superstar was "very close" to linking up with Wenger in north London.
The multi-time Ballon d'Or winner spilled the beans himself during an ITV interview with Piers Morgan - a renowned Arsenal fan - a few years ago.
“It is true. Of course it is true," Ronaldo revealed. "Very close. One step. Seriously. It didn’t happen, but Arsenal, I appreciate what they did for me, especially Arsene Wenger. In football you never know where you are going to play, life is like that."