The transfer window is always filled with surprises, involving surprise transfers, hijacks out of nowhere and drama as players refuse to play in search of a move.
Arsenal have had their fair share of drama in the window, whether that includes Mesut Ozil’s deadline day move from Real Madrid or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s exit to Barcelona, they have seen it all.
This summer brought about plenty of similar circumstances, as the Gunners hijacked Tottenham’s deal for Eberechi Eze.
However, it’s not always worked out for Arsenal in the way they would’ve hoped.
Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew revealed how one move didn’t go through, despite the player refusing to play.
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Alan Pardew reveals how Yohan Cabaye pushed for Arsenal transfer
Back in 2013, under the guidance of Arsene Wenger, Arsenal were looking to get themselves back to the very top again.
The Gunners pushed to make some big signings, including a deal to land Newcastle ace Yohan Cabaye, with a £10 million offer made.
The Frenchman had impressed in the Premier League, prompting the move that caused him to take action.
Alan Pardew, who was Newcastle manager at the time, recently said on the situation on Sky Sports: “I had a very unfortunate incident with a player that I loved and I know he loved me, but he wanted to go to Arsenal, Yohan Cabaye.
“We were travelling to Manchester City and he had a phone call on the bus. He didn’t want to get off the bus, didn’t want to play, and I was like, ‘You’re taking all our set plays, you’re doing everything today. I mean, literally everything, you can’t let the team down.’
@skysportsfootball Alan Pardew on Yohan Cabaye's move to Arsenal 📞 #arsenal #premierleague #footballtiktok ♬ original sound – Sky Sports Football
“And obviously, [Arsenal were] in his ear and he wanted to push through the move, and in the end I had to take him out of the team.
“So it was, you know, completely put us in a terrible position to change all the set play, the taker, etc., and, you know, I was kind of unforgiving at that point for him.”
The deal never went through, with Cabaye going on to stay at Newcastle before eventually reuniting with Pardew at Crystal Palace.
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Arsene Wenger’s closest missed signings for Arsenal
Cabaye isn’t the only player that Wenger missed out on over his many years at Arsenal, as there were quite a few big names who nearly joined the club.
Speaking in an interview with SPORTbible back in 2021, the former manager revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo and N’Golo Kante were two of the biggest misses for him.
“Certainly Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said. “I thought it was possible, and if we were a fraction quicker, a few days, because we had agreed, and Man United came in five, six days later, so I would say at the start of my career, Cristiano Ronaldo.”
“At the end of my career, N’Golo Kante,” he added in the interview.
They join a list which includes the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Federico Valverde, who could’ve joined as younger players in their career.
from Arsenal Transfer News | Rumours, Deals & Targets | Arsenal Insider
Luke Thrower