When Man City icon Yaya Toure almost joined Arsenal and why it’s Arsene Wenger’s ‘top’ regret

Diego Maradona could even have become a Gunner in 1982 but the move was blocked and 21 years later Arsenal faced a similar frustration with Yaya Toure.

Kolo Toure was already an established member of the Arsenal team, but in 2003, Wenger decided to court his brother Yaya and pulled on the famous red and white shirt in a 0-0 friendly draw with non-league side Barnet FC.

Yaya Toure had a trial with Arsenal in 2003

On 19 July 2003, two trios were included in Arsenal’s starting line-up for their friendly against Barnet: Beveren midfielder Yaya Toure and Cannes left-back Gael Clichy.

Toure didn’t have a defined position yet and actually played as a striker in the second half. He did little in the game to convince Wenger that he would become a Premier League legend and headed home the clearest chance of the game from a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross.

However, Wenger still wanted to sign him, despite later describing his display as “completely average”, but there were obstacles that would ultimately prevent the move.

“He was completely average that day,” Wenger declared years later.

“He is a top player. I knew at that time he would be a top player. The only problem with Yaya Toure was pinning him in a position because he can play everywhere.

“He can play as a central defender, as a second striker, as a midfielder and for a long time we did not know where to play him.

Why Arsenal couldn’t sign Yaya Toure in 2003

Despite his unimpressive display, Arsenal have agreed a deal with Toure that would see him join his brother at Highbury.

However, there were problems with Toure’s work permit and he then moved to Ukrainian side Metalurh Donetsk.

Wenger has since admitted that failing to sign Toure was one of his biggest regrets.

“It would be at the top of my list of regrets,” he said in 2013.

“But let’s not forget that Yaya Toure had an agreement with us – and not because we didn’t want to sign him because he went to Ukraine.

“We had to wait for his passport in Belgium. I made mistakes, but he is not a mistake, it’s just that he preferred to go to Metalurh Donetsk. He could go there without any passport.”

Toure went on to play for Barcelona and Manchester City, where he eventually linked up with Kolo, who described playing with his brother as the highlight of his career.

“It was special. For me it was the best moment of my career, I would say I had Yaya with me,” he recently revealed.

For years, Arsenal have struggled to replace Patrick Vieira, but Yaya Toure has been the closest thing to him, and had he managed to get him over the line, Wenger could have tasted more title success after the departure of the Frenchman in 2005.

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