On Sunday, London giants Arsenal will host Manchester United in a highly-anticipated English Premier League clash at the Emirates, with only three points separating the two sides.
All eyes, however, will be on the Red Devils summer signing Anthony Martial, with the young French a hot topic ahead of the game as yet another player that got away from Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners boss, upon seeing the former Monaco forward seal his Old Trafford switch, admitted that he had scouted the player several times before and was interested in acquiring his services, though a move for the 19-year-old never materliazed.
When Louis Van Gaal forked out £36m for Martial, a player who managed a mere 9 goals in 35 appearances in his last season in Ligue 1, many labeled the young Frenchman as an overpriced, panic buy from United.
However, the forward has enjoyed a stellar beginning to life at the Theatre of Dreams, bagging three goals in six games for the 20-time champions.
This has led to many of the north London side’s supporters to question Le Prof as to why he didn’t sign Martial. Wenger, however, has now revealed that he was informed by Monaco that the player was not up for sale,
"I thought they would not sell him this year because they had sold so many other players,” said the 65-year-old boss.
"They said they would not sell him and I thought they were not in any need to sell and would maintain their word."
"The amount of money was massive but Monaco could have sold him next season instead. I was surprised they sold him. Only an exceptional amount of money would do it."
"We always liked him, already when he was in Lyon," Le Prof. "That was also a surprise, that Lyon sold him for five million euros."
