5 World Class players who rejected Arsenal

Luis Suarez

Suarez was keen on leaving Anfield for the Emirates in 2013.

Luis Suarez is a name that has been mired in controversy ever since he broke into the footballing limelight and mostly for the wrong reasons. However, it would be foolhardy to claim that the Uruguayan is not a world class player for when he is on song, even the most seasoned of defenders can find it tough to contain the eccentric striker.

Suarez had joined Liverpool from Ajax in the winter transfer window of 2011 and despite being a regular goalscorer at Anfield, he grew frustrated towards the end of the 2012-13 season. It was cited that the club’s inability to compete for silverware as well as increased media attention had made Suarez keen on a move away from Merseyside and Arsenal were believed to be in the pole position to sign him.

The Reds had failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League yet again and when Arsenal made an approach for the Uruguayan, he was keen to force a move to the North London club. However, Arsene Wenger decided he would pursue Suarez in his own fashion and comically decided to table a bid of £40,000,001 for the Uruguayan, which the hierarchy at Liverpool promptly refused.

While the Gunners still remained keen, a brief discussion with the likes of Steven Gerrard enthused some confidence into the Uruguayan with regards to the ambitions of the Reds and Suarez openly cited his wish to remain at Anfield just a few days later, making him another world class player who came ever so close to joining Arsenal.