Arsenal Football Club has had its fair share of incredible midfielders over the years, from the commanding presence of Patrick Vieira to the creative genius of Cesc Fabregas and the current artistic flair of Martin Odegaard. Their talents have not only defined games but also crafted unforgettable moments for fans. However, like any club, Arsenal has also explored potential signings, and there have been players whose failure to join the North London side has likely left fans breathing a sigh of relief.
The search for a suitable replacement for players like Vieira and Fabregas became particularly frustrating throughout the 2010s. Arsenal fans watched from the sidelines as a parade of players linked with a move to the Emirates came and went, many of whom turned out to be fleeting fancies rather than true necessities. Here, we’ve taken a closer look at seven midfielders who dodged the Arsenal bullet, and why in hindsight, nobody will be shedding tears over those missed opportunities.
One name that comes to mind is **Houssem Aouar**. During the summer transfer window after a stellar performance at Lyon, he was a dream target for many Arsenal supporters, especially following Lyon’s impressive run to the Champions League semi-finals in the 2019-20 season. Arsenal’s persistent attempts to secure Aouar, totaling multiple bids rejected by Lyon, were met with public declarations from the player himself. “I’m happy to stay at Lyon,” he said, emphasizing his contentment with the club where he had built his career. Fast forward a couple of years, and while the Gunners signed Thomas Partey instead—who has become integral to the team’s midfield—Aouar found himself moving to lesser-known clubs, first to Roma and then to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. For Arsenal fans, it’s hard to argue they missed out on the next great midfielder.
Next up is William Carvalho, a player who embodied the hype surrounding so-called future stars. Linked to Arsenal during the height of his career at Sporting Lisbon, he was seen by some as the silver bullet for the Gunners’ midfield woes. However, despite boasting an impressive international career with 80 caps for Portugal, he never stepped foot in the Premier League. After years of speculation and near-signings, Carvalho ultimately moved to Real Betis—hardly the blockbuster transfer everyone anticipated. Many would likely argue the Gunners were better off without him.
Another name that might have sparked memories of what could have been is Lars Bender. Arsenal’s interest in the German midfielder dates back to 2013, with aspirations of bringing him to the club reported as early as 2015. An anticipated £18 million deal turned into nothing, as Bender chose to remain at Bayer Leverkusen until his retirement in 2021. Reflecting on his career, one can say Arsenal’s failure to land Bender did little to blemish the club’s path or midfield.
Then there was Grzegorz Krychowiak, a player whose name rang bells in North London after his stellar career at Sevilla, leading Arsène Wenger to express interest around 2015 and again in 2017. Ultimately, Krychowiak’s switch to PSG turned into a nightmare, overshadowed by lackluster performances and loans to clubs where he experienced little stability. Today, he finds himself in Cyprus at Anorthosis Famagusta, a far cry from what many would consider a successful career by Premier League standards.
Thomas Lemar was another name that made headlines when Arsenal reportedly slapped a jaw-dropping £92 million offer on the table in 2017 to pry him from Monaco. While he did stay in Ligue 1 for another year before moving to Atletico Madrid for a fraction of that fee, his contributions have yet to justify that hefty price tag. Sure, he achieved a World Cup win with France, but his time has been firmly eclipsed by teammates like Kylian Mbappe and Bernardo Silva from Monaco’s golden generation.
While the saga of Christoph Kramer≥ might elicit a chuckle, it serves as another reminder of how fickle fate can be. Linked with a move to the Premier League while playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, Kramer had clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United trailing him but chose to stick around in Germany. To this day, he remains at Gladbach, presumably with fans indifferent towards his absence from the Emirates.
Lastly, there’s Emiliano Buendia, who was seen as the answer to Arsenal’s midfield conundrum following his standout season with Norwich City. With Arteta keen on bringing him in for £30 million, Buendia instead opted to join Aston Villa, where injuries have since blighted his journey. Meanwhile, Arsenal secured Martin Odegaard, a decision that has proven to be a masterstroke, immediately resonating with fans and critics alike.
Looking back on these near-misses makes it clear that some potential signings can often turn into fleeting fantasies rather than hallmarks of brilliant strategy. Whether it was dodging a hefty paycheck for underwhelming performances or experiencing a career trajectory that flattered to deceive, Arsenal’s scouting team and fanbase can feel relieved. In this journey through players who eluded the Gunners, it seems that sometimes not getting what you wish for might just be a blessing in disguise.
Image Source: Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock
