Arsenal: N’Golo Kante Miss Arsene Wenger’s Worst

Arsene Wenger has revealed that he twice attempted to sign N’Golo Kante. Failing to acquire his services is one his worst Arsenal mistakes.

The summer transfer window is one where clubs look to vastly improve their squads with key additions in key areas. Arsenal, like every other top team, are very selective about what talent they look to acquire, cherry-picking the very best, rather than taking a scattergun approach.

Related Story: Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Predicted Starting XI

Arsene Wenger has been notoriously hesitant in the window throughout recent history, unwilling to splash the cash on the upper echelon calibre players. There have, though, been many examples of missed out transfers under Wenger that have cost this team great success.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

The famous example is Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the big Swede was developing at Ajax, compounded by the signing of Francis Jeffers as his replacement. There is now another name to add to the many failed bids; N’Golo Kante. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Stamford Bridge in which they will face a Chelsea team anchored on the endless energy of Kante in central midfield, Wenger revealed how he failed to sign the Frenchman on numerous occasions, including this past summer:

"“I tried to sign Kante when he was in France and when he was at Leicester. We cannot explain everything – transfers are transfers – but it is quite obvious when you look at where he has gone. I believe Kante has had a huge impact. It’s no coincidence Chelsea are where they are and Leicester did what they did last season.”"

In the summer, I was one of many who were shouting the argument to sign Kante. I saw his defensive capabilities, his physical gifts in being able to cover a lot of ground, and his strength in the tackle as the perfect attributes to compliment the often soft underbelly of the Gunners that has been exploited in the past.

Rather than sign Kante, Wenger turned to Swiss international Granit Xhaka, someone who, despite playing with a different approach, founded on his strength and passing ability rather than a sheer willingness to run, to plug the deep-lying role that has been a problem for Arsenal perhaps all the way back to the days of Gilberto Silva and Patrick Viera.

Next: Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Combined Starting XI

Xhaka has struggled, especially defensively, while Kante has shined, leading a team to what is likely to be his second successive Premier League title in his two years on these shores. Wenger made a huge mistake in failing to sign him. Kante is a tremendous player and he will be a difficult challenge to overcome on Saturday.