Wenger’s biggest transfer regret? Ronaldo, of course

Daniel Storey

Arsene Wenger says that his biggest transfer regret during his time as Arsenal manager was failing to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. Francis Jeffers breathes a sigh of relief.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Wenger again recalled the tale of how Arsenal managed to let Ronaldo slip through his fingers.

Wenger believes that Ronaldo could have “changed history” at Arsenal, just as he did at Old Trafford.

“The obvious player [that we missed out on] that comes to mind is Ronaldo,” Wenger said.

“He was here with his mother and we were very close. Then Man United came in and they had Carlos Queiroz at the time, who was their coach. United played against Sporting Lisbon and Ronaldo was outstanding and they signed him.

“You could imagine at the time what it would have been like to have Thierry Henry and Ronaldo together. Later Man United had Rooney, Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy together, they had an exceptional football team, and Giggs and Scholes together. That would certainly have changed a little bit the history of my stay here as well.”