Ex-Arsenal star explains why he chose Gunners transfer over Man City

22 November 2023 , 07:30

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Ismael Bennacer picked Arsenal ahead of Manchester City (Image: Getty Images)

AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer rejected Manchester City as a youngster because they wouldn't give him his own flat.

Bennacer, 25, has become a household name in Serie A since turning down City for Arsenal. The Algeria international started his professional career with French minnows Arles before the Manchester club and their Premier League rivals came calling in July 2015.

Both City and Arsenal wanted to sign Bennacer, with the latter club winning the transfer race. Yet the teenager's time in England didn't go to plan. He made just one appearance before being sent on loan to French outfit Tours in January 2017.

Bennacer joined Italian side Empoli on a permanent deal six months later and hasn't looked back, winning the Serie B title at the end of his first season in Italy before lifting the Serie A title with AC Milan in May 2022. He's now opened up on his time in England.

"(City) called me and told me 'we want you to be with the reserves' and everything," Bennacer told Instant Foot, as relayed by Sport Witness. "It's City, man. I was ready. They told me 'Come see the facilities' - so I did. I got there, I don't know, I wasn't feeling it."

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Bennacer then recalled seeing City's world-class facilities for the first time and meeting Patrick Vieira, who was the club's academy chief before leaving in November 2015. The midfielder added: "Their facilities were crazy. Amazing. I spoke with Vieira and everything."

Bennacer is now flourishing in Italy (Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

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Yet the deal collapsed. Bennacer explained: "I liked the talk we had, but the fact they wanted me at the academy, to sleep there... I wanted a flat. I wanted my sister to come with me. That's why I dropped City. Then there was Arsenal towards the end of July."

The Gunners were tipped to re-sign Bennacer during the previous transfer window, but a knee injury scuppered any hope of a move. The player, who still has three-and-a-half years remaining on his Milan contract, is expected to return to fitness next month.

Milan boss Stefano Pioli will be glad to have Bennacer available again. The seven-time European champions are third in Serie A, eight points behind leaders and local rivals Inter Milan. Pioli's side haven't won in the league since the start of October.

Bennacer hasn't just impressed at club level. He helped Algeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and was named as the Player of the Tournament for his efforts in Egypt. The former Arsenal star has won 46 senior caps to date, scoring twice.

Tom Blow