Robin van Persie spent eight years at Arsenal before moving to Manchester United in 2012.
During his last few seasons at the north London club, the Gunners, led by Arsène Wenger, were impressive in attack, but not so much at the back.
The former Netherlands international “really wanted” to bring Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini to the Emirates and also ‘made this clear to Wenger’.
Van Persie made this claim during an interview with Kaj Gorgels and his quotes have been relayed by Voetbalzone.
The ex-Old Trafford star was then of the belief the Premier League side lacked a leader and a winner, and the addition of Chiellini to their squad would not only have strengthened their defence, but also helped in other ways.
“I played against him a few times and he is really a winner. You saw that a few weeks ago against the Dutch national team,” Van Persie said.
“He’s 36, but gives 9 elbows smiling. He keeps on smiling and doesn’t even get a yellow card. You need those kind of winners, killers, you need them.
“My own experiences…. We were very good at the front and scored a lot, but your keeper and your last line are the foundation of your team.”
Unfortunately for the 37-year-old Dutchman, neither Wenger nor Arsenal took his suggestion to sign the Italian centre-back.
