5 Players Arsenal Missed Out on at the Transfer Deadline

5. Alexandre Pato

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Pato was supposed to be the next big deal. While in his late teens and early twenties, he was pegged as the next Ronaldo, Kaka or (insert Brazilian superstar). However, injuries derailed his still-young career and he has been forced back into the Brazilian League.

Now 25 years old, Pato is ready for the big stage again.

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Pato has been shining since returning to consistency. Goals have been fairly easy to come by. He he has scored 33 goals in 81 appearances while on loan at Sao Paolo. Pato still reports to Corinthians, but has found his welcome there lacking. As such, a more permanent home was on the agenda, but it was not to be.

So far this season, Pato has 8 goals and 3 assists in 16 appearances. Being linked to Arsenal may have been cause for scoffs and laughs, but when you get down to the crop of strikers available and what Arsenal needed, such a move would make complete sense.

Valued at under £10 million, he would have been well within Wenger’s price range. Not much would have been expected. As I pointed out in the initial outlook of the proposed transfer, there really is no drawback to signing him. If he lives up to his potential even in the slightest, Wenger looks like a genius. If he proves an adequate rotation player, Wenger still looks like a genius. If he flops and never develops, it was not much money and at least we tried.

However Pato will remain in Brazil. Wenger clearly felt that he was not up to scratch.

Next: Number 4