ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has opened up on the conversation with Arsene Wenger that saw his move to Arsenal ultimately collapse.
The Swedish forward, 42, even went as far as posing with the No9 shirt.
AlamyZlatan Ibrahimovic met with then Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger in 2000[/caption]
AlamyThe Swedish forward even posed with a named No9 shirt[/caption]
AlamyThe move ultimately failed due to Wenger insisting he complete a trial[/caption]
Ibrahimovic was spine-tingling close to a move to north London from Swedish side Malmo at the age of 17.
But the transfer fell through following his meeting with Arsene Wenger in 2000, which saw him sign with Ajax a year later.
He appeared for an interview with Arsenal fan Piers Morgan, discussing the reason why a switch to Highbury never materialised.
He said: “When I was young, I had a lot of interest from a lot of clubs, and one of them was Arsenal.
“So, I came to the office of Mr Arsene Wenger, and it was a big hype because I saw these players, Bergkamp, Henry, Ljungberg, Vieira.
“In the end, he had an Arsenal shirt with Number 9 and said ‘We want you to come and do a trial for two weeks’.”
“Everything was good until he said you need to come and do a trial.
“I said ‘I don’t do trails’ and he replied you have to come and do one.
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“I said ‘No, no, you don’t understand, I don’t do trials’. And that was it, I never went to Arsenal.”
At the time of his failed move, the Gunners were enjoying one of the best periods in their history, challenging Manchester United for lordship in the English top-flight.
The striker went on to play for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG and Man United.
As Arsenal’s dominance diminished, Ibrahimovic ended his career with 12 league titles and 570 senior career goals.