Lionel Messi should have been Arsenal player says Wenger

Lionel Messi could have joined Arsenal from Barcelona as a teenager along with Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique, Arsene Wenger confirmed on Friday.

Lionel Messi

The Argentina midfield maestro developed into one of the world's greatest players at the Nou Camp, but was close to considering a switch to England when he was 15 in the Barcelona Academy.
A recent biography suggested the potential deal broke down because Arsenal were unable to purchase accommodation for Messi's family, who were keen to join him in London, although the South American would still have needed to secure a work permit.
 
"It was just, I think in the end, he was not so keen to move, because it was at a period where (Cesc) Fabregas came, because Fabregas and Messi played together in the same team (at Barcelona Academy) and we wanted to take Fabregas and Messi and (Gerard) Pique. It worked only for Fabregas. It was not completely down to a flat (accommodation) in the end. It was down to the fact that, in the end, Messi was comfortable at Barcelona." said Wenger
 
Despite all of their efforts, Arsenal boss Wenger, who also scouted the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Didier Drogba when they were raw talents, believed the player just felt settled in Spain rather than take a chance on a switch to England.
Looking ahead to the visit of Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Wenger warned he could not offer guarantees of a place in the starting XI to Danny Welbeck or anyone else in his squad.
The England striker is expected to overcome a minor hamstring problem suffered on international duty to face his former club.
France forward Olivier Giroud is back in contention following three months out with a broken leg, while Theo Walcott, doubtful because of a groin problem, offers another option in attack along with Alexis Sanchez, who has been in great form since a summer move from Barcelona.
 
"There is always a fight because we have a lot of offensive options. But Danny Welbeck can play in different positions up front and there is, in some games, room for both of them (to start), of course it is a fight." Wenger added
 
Germany international Lukas Podolski is another frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities, but Wenger insisted it was all part and parcel of competition at a leading club.
Welbeck has impressed since his deadline-day switch from Old Trafford, scoring five goals in 12 Arsenal appearances so far.
Arsenal against Manchester United used to be one of the highlights of the season, but is now seen as a contest between two sides set to battle it out for a top-four finish rather than the championship itself.
But Wenger believes "that will not last."
Arsenal are sixth and United seventh.