Arsenal may have three World Cup winners already within their ranks following Germany’s success in Brazil this summer, but the Daily Express believes that they could have had a fourth crucial member of the side, with the Gunners having come close to signing Mario Gotze three years ago. A source at the time told the paper that, “[Gotze] likes the way Arsenal play the game and for him there are only two clubs where he’d like to play once he moves from Dortmund – Arsenal or Barcelona.”
Gotze was the hero for Germany as he hit the only goal of the game deep into stoppage time to secure a fourth World Cup trophy in the final against Argentina, announcing himself as the poster boy for a triumphant tournament for Joachim Low’s side.
It has now emerged that Gotze could have been a Premier League player a few years ago as Arsenal and Manchester United competed over his signature while he was at Borussia Dortmund. However, with his heart set on a move to Barcelona, he opted to stay put for the time being.
That move never materialised and he ended up signing for former Barca coach Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich last summer, but source have suggested that three years ago, a move to Arsenal would have appealed to the midfield maestro, with them one of only two teams he would have contemplated leaving Dortmund for.
With Barcelona not making any moves, Arsenal had led the way, ahead of their Premier League rivals, but no move was ever pushed through before he became a Bundesliga winner with both Dortmund and Bayern. The one that got away from Arsenal is now a world champion.
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Mario Gotze created just two chances in six appearances for Germany at the World Cup, failing to assist a single goal.
Topics: Mario Gotze
Related Teams: Arsenal
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