GUNNERS RELOADED? Arsenal’s missed chances at signing superstars

Topics: English Premier League, Arsenal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Arsene Wenger, Angel di Maria, Gerard Pique, Gareth Bale, Zlatan Ibrahimovich

Coach Arsene Wenger has been a fan of developing young talent. 19 years after taking over the club, he knows Arsenal’s starting XI could be much different

It has been 11 years since Arsenal last hoisted the trophy as the Premier League champions. Over the course of the club’s history, its coach Arsene Wenger has been in charge of three (1998, 2002, 2004) of the club’s 13 titles.

Since then, the Gunners mostly aspire to end up in the top-five of what many consider the best league in the world. Their roster is made up mostly of young players. Its age-average of 25.8 makes it the third youngest squad in the league.

German Mesut Ozil and Chilean Alexis Sánchez are considered to be the best players in the team according to their value (£39.60 & £33.44 million respectively). On Thursday, the club’s manager revealed some shocking secrets.

“We wanted to take Fabregas, Messi and Pique,” Wenger said of a deal that could have happened before the last two shined bright with Barcelona.

Back in 2006, Wenger felt he did not need another left back, so Gareth Bale stayed with Southampton at the time. Today “Le Professeur” regrets his decision.

“I must confess it was a huge mistake as he can play in the midfield,” he said. “The career of a player sometimes depends on playing in the right position.”

Bale has made a huge impact with Real Madrid. Along with "Los Merengues" they won the 2014 “Copa del Rey” and its tenth “Champions League” title in the same year. His teammate Cristiano Ronaldo even had a number nine jersey waiting for him in London.

“What happened was that Carlos Queiroz went to Manchester United and they snapped him away from us,” Wegner declared about what he considers his biggest mistake.

For as little as £4 million Wenger could have had the three-time "Ballon d’Or" winner and highest-paid player in the world back in 2003. Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Ángel di María and Yaya Toure are among other pieces to Arsenal’s imaginary starting eleven.

Wouldn't this be a starting XI to fear?