Arsene Wenger reveals why Arsenal missed out on signing Yaya Toure in 2003

Yaya Toure

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal missed out on the signing of Yaya Toure only due to passport problems preventing him from receiving a work permit.

Toure is now the driving force behind Manchester City’s title challenge and comes up against Wenger’s Arsenal team on Saturday evening, with the chance to end the Gunners’ title hopes altogether.

Toure enjoyed a trial stint with the Gunners in 2003, but work permit problems held up the deal and the Ivorian midfielder ended up joining Ukrainian outfit Metalurg Donetsk instead, before going to on to play for Olympiakos, Monaco and Barcelona, eventually rocking up at the Etihad.

Wenger admits he counts not signing Toure as one of his top transfer regrets, given the success the Ivorian powerhouse has gone on to achieve in the game, but does not feel he or the club are to blame for the failure to land him.

He told reporters, “Let’s not forget Toure had an agreement with Arsenal. We waited for his passport in Belgium, but he went to Ukraine instead.

“He’s not a mistake, but he preferred to go to Donetsk without a passport.”

No other player in the Premier League has completed more than the 1822 passes that Yaya Toure has managed this season.