Former Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin, who joined Liverpool on loan from Real Madrid in August 2012, has revealed that he almost joined Arsenal before deciding to come to Liverpool.
Speaking on UEFA.com, Sahin said, “It was very close (to joining Arsenal).
“Three times in my career I was almost at Arsenal. It never happened, but that is normal in football.
“It was a good time for me to be part of a great club like Liverpool with such history and good team-mates. I think I was 16 the first time and then last summer we spoke with Arsenal, but in the end I signed with Liverpool.”
Sahin was only at Liverpool for five months as he moved on to Borussia Dortmund after that, having not had the best of times at Anfield. The Turkish midfielder did however manage to get three goals and three assists in 12 matches for Liverpool.
When Sahin joined Liverpool on loan, many heralded it as a great coupe for the Reds. Sahin was recognised as a great midfielder across Europe but was just very unlucky not to make a name for himself at Real Madrid. Some fans blame Brendan Rodgers for not playing Sahin in his preferred position which is in the heart of the midfield where he is able to control and dictate the pace of the game. Rodgers would have had to drop Gerrard and play Sahin in his place if he wanted to get the best out of the Madrid man and that was not going to happen.
It would be interesting though to see how Sahin may have developed if he had been given more time in the Red shirt, more so now when we looking thin in central midfield. Currently he is still at Borussia Dortmund on loan and is playing very well there. Did Liverpool miss out by letting Sahin leave to early?
