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Arsène Wenger reveals his regret in not signing the one player who would have "changed the history of Arsenal"

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-reveals-regret-not-12538140



Arsene Wenger regrets failing to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for Arsenal - and has revealed how close he came to making the Portuguese a Gunners player. 
Wenger took charge of his final Arsenal match on the weekend, as his Gunners side beat Huddersfield 1-0 on the last day of the season.
He said goodbye to the fans after 22 years in charge, and has been reflecting on the good and bad bits from his career at the very top.
Wenger made some brilliant signings over the years, including Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Patrick Vieira, and Nicolas Anelka, but there is one superstar he regrets just missing out on.
Speaking to Arsenal fans in a Q&A, Wenger said: "I nearly signed Ronaldo and I think that would have changed the history of Arsenal Football Club. The Ronaldo story was very, very close."
He added: "[Lionel] Messi as well, because we were interested in him. "When Fabregas came here we asked Messi and [Gerard] Pique to join as well, that didn't work."
Former Arsenal midfielder, and current Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta is in the frame to take the reins from Wenger this summer.
The Spaniard was nicknamed "Coach" by his team-mates during his five years at the Emirates as they could see his determination to move into management.

Wenger claims the Gunners came very close to signing Ronaldo


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