As you’re likely aware by this point, there’s a long line of players who could have ended up at Arsenal down the years.
Missing out on players seems to be something of a speciality at the Emirates, with numerous tales of big-name stars having been close to a move at some point in their careers.
Perhaps it’s just one of the consequences of being a big club where players are presented to you continually with some eventually being signed but plenty missed out on too.
Now, not every player Arsenal have missed out on down the years has turned out to be a superstar and that is very much the case with Christian Makoun.
He once had the chance to join the Gunners, with Arsenal one of several clubs vying for his signature at one point.
Instead, he elected to move to Juventus but failed to make an appearance for the club, who chose to put him in their Under 23s for a year.
Things could have been very different, though, especially if his father’s wisdom had been listened too more closely.
“When he came in 2018, it was to obtain Belgian nationality and resolve some family problems,” his father told DH Net.
“We discussed, and I told him that it would have been ideal if he had come here in Belgium, to get closer to his brothers and to me. I could have guided him in his career.
“I told him Arsenal was the best choice, but his agents had advanced discussions with Juventus, who had been following him for a long time. And he signed there.
“When the one-year loan ended, the club had an option to buy. He was asked to stay with the U23, except that he hoped to progress to the first team.
“In Venezuela, he started at 16 and a half with the adults. It was not enough for him to be in the U23s.
“He learned a lot from Juventus, but there are few prospects for the young people there. That’s the reason why I would have opted for Arsenal.”
