The 5 best players Arsenal almost signed (but didn't)

The international break is almost over, but there's still time for an all-time list before Arsenal get their season back underway against Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners have had some legendary players wear the famous red-and-white, but there are also a few who have slipped through the cracks. Some of football's biggest names had the chance to join or were close to signing for the north London side, but for whatever reason never did.

As unfortunate as it is to acknowledge, there's too many names to compile a full list so we've narrowed this down to the five best players Arsenal almost signed, but didn't.

Honourable mentions go out to Luis Suarez, Virgil van Dijk, Eden Hazard and practically every other world class player who has kicked a football over the last 30 years.

The 5 best players Arsenal almost signed (but didn't)

5. Zlatan Ibrahimović

Before he became one of Europe's greatest ever strikers, Arsenal had the chance to sign Zlatan Ibrahimović from Malmo.

Catching the eye at his boyhood club, the Swede was invited for a trial by then-Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, but this didn't go down well with the player.

In response, he said "Zlatan doesn't do auditions" and demanded he be signed immediately or not at all. Arsenal chose the latter and Ibrahimovic joined Ajax a year after.

He justified his cockiness throughout his career, scoring 511 goals in 866 appearances at club level, as well as holding his nation's all-time scoring record with 62 goals.

Who knows what could've been had he linked up with the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira?

4. Yaya Touré

Unlike his fellow 'Gunners nearlies', Yaya Touré actually played for Arsenal, doing so in a pre-season game against Barnet while on trial with the club.

The Ivorian didn't impress in the tie and even missed a sitter, but that didn't stop Wenger from wanting his signature. However, due to work permit issues, the move didn't materialise and he instead signed for Metalurh Donetsk.

He went onto enjoy a successful career, winning 10 major trophies and playing for the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City.

One Touré did end up playing for the Gunners though, Yaya's brother Kolo. He was a part of the Invincibles side and spent eight seasons in north London. Despite Kolo's success, it's safe to say most fans would have liked to see both the Touré brothers both play for Arsenal.

On the failure to sign Yaya, Wenger even admitted: "It would be at the top of my list of regrets."

3. Kylian Mbappe

After bursting onto the scene with Monaco, Kylian Mbappe had the opportunity to become an Arsenal player.

Richard Law, a former member of the Gunners' football operations, revealed he and Wenger travelled to the principality to meet with the player and his entourage.

Mbappe eventually moved to Paris Saint-Germain and now plays his football with Real Madrid, continuing a brilliant career that has seen him win the World Cup and multiple domestic titles.

It of course would've been great to see the France captain join Arsenal, but the move would've came in the dire final years under Wenger, so there's no guarantee he would've stuck around for long.

Regardless, the Gunners never secured his signature. He has long been tipped to emulate Henry and has arguably done that now, but it would still be sensational to see that happen in north London. You never know what might happen in the future. There's still time Kylian!

2. Lionel Messi

This one isn't really an almost, more of an if only, but we had to mention him.

In 2003, Arsenal were plucking talent from Barcelona's academy and managed to sign Cesc Fabregas. However, there was a talented Argentinian they also showed interest in, Lionel Messi.

Wenger claimed the Gunners held discussions over the wonderkid, but admitted he was absolutely untouchable at the time, ending any hopes of signing him.

He spent 17 years with Barcelona, scoring 672 goals and winning 34 trophies before joining PSG. After two years in the French capital and arguably completing football with a World Cup win in 2022, he moved to Inter Miami, where he still plays.

It was never likely to happen, but just imagine Messi did join Arsenal. Wenger's side could've been unstoppable.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

As Cristiano Ronaldo impressed as a young star at Sporting, Arsenal very nearly signed the now-Portugal captain before he joined Manchester United in 2003.

The man himself admitted that he was "one step away" from signing for the Gunners, but reports claim financial restraints prevented Wenger's side from doing so. Some say he had even been given an Arsenal shirt with his name on ahead of the proposed move.

However, a friendly between Sporting and Man United saw him catch the eye of Alex Ferguson, who reportedly refused to leave Lisbon until he signed him. He did so within a week and Ronaldo went onto enjoy a successful career with United before joining Real Madrid.

Had he joined the Gunners instead of United, they could have enjoyed the spell of dominance their then-title rivals did throughout the 2000s, but sadly that wasn't the case.

Oh how different it could've been for Arsenal.

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