"I was close to joining Arsenal" - Gerard Pique reveals shocking talks

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has revealed that he was close to joining Arsenal before he joined Manchester United, but was persuaded to join United by the personal intervention with former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. The move was ultimately unsuccessful, with Pique moving back to Spain with Barcelona in 2008, but the defender returns to Manchester this week to face Manchester City.

Pique praised City’s season so far, and was dismissive of the mind games employed against the side by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, but warned the Citizens that Barcelona have evolved from the side that largely relied upon Lionel Messi.

Pique started his career at Barca, but left in 2004 to move to England due to a lack of possible progression at the club.

“It was really difficult to break through to the first team, and I think the best option was to leave Barcelona and go to England,” he said to The Telegraph of his decision.

“I remember that first of all Arsenal were interested in me and I had a meeting with Arsène Wenger. I was close to going to Arsenal but the year before Cesc Fabregas went there and Arsenal and Barcelona were in a little fight and they didn’t want to do the same with me. Manchester United came in and finally I went there.

“Before I signed, we had a dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson and my family, and I was surprised, because he was the coach of Man Utd for 20 years, and he had the time to come and speak with my family and with me. I was just a young kid who had never played for a professional team, but he had the time for me.

We were grateful to have him in that dinner. It shows a lot about him and how he worked at United.”

Barca face City at the Etihad on Tuesday and Pique spoke of his respect for City boss Manuel Pellegrini, sympathising with the former Malaga boss for having to “suffer” from Mourinho’s mind games.

“When you don’t have to suffer Jose Mourinho as your opponent, it’s funny to hear how he talks, how he works after the game. His press conference after the City game [Chelsea’s 1-0 victory] was funny. He’s like this. We know that. And now Pellegrini is the one who has to suffer this.”

“Pellegrini always liked to play like this [going forward]. I remember when he was here in Spain with Malaga and Real before he always liked to play.”

“I knew when he signed for City he would try to play like this. I think he has good quality players with David Silva, Kun Aguero – you know, they can have the ball, have the possession. They’re having a good season.”

However, Pique warned that City are not the only side with good quality players, praising teammate Neymar for the impact that he has had at the club since his arrival.

“He’s really young, he’s got a lot of hunger to show to the world that he is right for Barcelona and that he’s one of the best players in the word,” said Pique of the Brazilian.

“His quality, his skills, his goals, have added a lot to the team and at the same time maybe he takes a little bit of the focus.”

“Everything was on Messi, with everyone trying to stop him. Now we have another way. Ok, if it’s not Messi’s day, we have Neymar, we have Pedro, we have Alexis [Sanchez], we have a lot of quality in the striker area, and I think that’s really good for the team.”