Wenger's Arsenal: A Star-Studded XI That Almost Wore Red and White

Arsene Wenger's extensive 22-year tenure at Arsenal Football Club left an undeniable legacy, marked by three Premier League titles, including the iconic 'Invincibles' season of 2003/04, and seven FA Cup triumphs. However, this remarkable record could have been even more illustrious if a host of world-class talents, who later became legends elsewhere, had joined the Gunners. According to a report by Planet Football on Thursday, Wenger nearly secured the signatures of several top players during his time at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium. Here’s a look at a formidable XI of stars who were on Arsenal’s radar:

**Gianluigi Buffon – Goalkeeper**

Considered among the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, Gianluigi Buffon was reportedly scouted by Arsenal before his 2001 transfer from Parma to Juventus. Buffon himself later disclosed that he had a dinner meeting with Wenger in 1998, at the young age of 20. While Arsenal continued with stellar keepers like David Seaman and Jens Lehmann, the thought of Buffon guarding their goal remains one of Wenger's most intriguing missed opportunities.

**Gerard Piqué – Right-back**

Though primarily known as a central defender, Barcelona icon Gerard Piqué was one of the promising youngsters Wenger aimed to bring to Arsenal. The French manager revealed that Arsenal had targeted Piqué alongside Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi from Barcelona's academy. Wenger stated, "We wanted to take Fabregas, Messi and Piqué. It worked only for Fabregas." While Fabregas became a pivotal player for Arsenal, Piqué moved to Manchester United before returning to Barcelona, where he solidified his status as a world-leading defender.

**Raphaël Varane – Centre-back**

Raphaël Varane represents another significant defensive talent that Arsenal failed to secure. Wenger had identified the French defender early in his career at Lens, but a deal never materialised. Wenger later conceded that Arsenal could have signed Varane prior to Real Madrid's successful acquisition of his services. Varane went on to enjoy a decorated career, winning numerous major trophies with Real Madrid and later Manchester United, in addition to the 2018 World Cup with France.

**Vincent Kompany – Centre-back**

Before his legendary status at Manchester City, Vincent Kompany was another defender who caught Wenger's eye. Arsenal considered the Belgian as a potential successor to Sol Campbell in 2006, but Kompany ultimately opted for Hamburg. His agent, Jacques Lichtenstein, later confirmed that Wenger had personally met with him during the negotiation process. Kompany subsequently moved to Manchester City, where he captained the team to four Premier League titles.

**Gareth Bale – Left-back**

Gareth Bale's evolution from a promising left-back to a global superstar makes his near-move to Arsenal particularly fascinating. Wenger contemplated signing Bale during his formative years at Southampton but decided against it, citing the presence of Ashley Cole and Gaël Clichy in Arsenal’s squad. Wenger later admitted, "We didn’t take him as we had Ashley Cole and Gaël Clichy and didn’t want another left-back. I must confess it was a huge mistake." Bale went on to achieve immense fame with Tottenham and Real Madrid.

**Claude Makélélé – Central midfield**

Claude Makélélé also came close to joining Arsenal. Wenger disclosed that the French midfielder was on the verge of signing for the club in 1996, shortly after Patrick Vieira's arrival in North London. "Claude Makélélé was close to signing for us," Wenger recalled. Makélélé later established himself as one of the finest defensive midfielders globally, enjoying considerable success with Real Madrid and Chelsea. A midfield partnership of Vieira and Makélélé would have been truly formidable.

**Yaya Touré – Central midfield**

Yaya Touré's case is arguably one of Wenger's most renowned transfer regrets. The Ivorian midfielder actually trained with Arsenal and even featured in a pre-season match against Barnet, but the Gunners were unable to finalise the deal. Touré eventually moved to Metalurh Donetsk, followed by stints at Monaco, Barcelona, and Manchester City. At City, he became one of the Premier League's most dominant midfielders, securing three league titles. Wenger later acknowledged the missed chance, attributing the complications to work-permit and passport issues.

**Lionel Messi – Right wing**

Long before Lionel Messi cemented his place as one of football's all-time greats, Wenger had expressed interest in bringing the young Argentine to Arsenal. The Gunners also pursued Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Piqué from Barcelona's acclaimed academy. However, Messi remained in Catalonia, forging an extraordinary career with Barcelona before his later moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. Wenger subsequently suggested that Messi himself was content at Barcelona and not particularly inclined to leave.