Rio Ferdinand reveals he wanted to join ARSENAL after leaving Manchester United in 2014 but was rejected by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger… and even HE admits it was the right call from the Frenchman!
- Rio Ferdinand reveals he wanted to join Arsenal after leaving Manchester United
- The idea was rejected by then-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in 2014
- Ferdinand believed he could’ve ‘help the dressing room’ at United’s fierce rivals
- Instead of moving to the Gunners, Ferdinand ended up at Queens Park Rangers
- The ex-defender admits it was the right call following a drop off in performances
Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he wanted to join Arsenal after leaving Manchester United in 2014 – but was rejected by Arsene Wenger.
The United icon was in search of a new club after his deal at Old Trafford expired and he believed he could ‘help the dressing room’ at Arsenal after years of under-achievement.
However, Ferdinand was knocked back by the Gunners’ legendary boss, which the former England defender claims was the ‘right call’ after he went on to struggle at his next club, Queens Park Rangers.
Rio Ferdinand (left) wanted to join Arsenal in 2014 but was rejected by Arsene Wenger (right)
The 42-year-old left United after 12 years at the club, winning six Premier League titles and a Champions League, but reveals he was seriously considering a move to one of the club’s fiercest rivals.
‘The maddest thing is I thought about [joining] Arsenal,’ Ferdinand said YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE.
‘I said, “Arsene, listen, I am leaving Man United and if you want, I will come and try and help the dressing room etc. because I think you need help in that department. I will obviously play but, more importantly, I will come for the culture”.
Ferdinand (No 5) believed he could’ve ‘help the dressing room’ at Arsenal if he made the move
Instead of moving to the Gunners, Ferdinand ended up at Queens Park Rangers
‘He didn’t take me up on the offer and he was right because my performances at QPR weren’t up to the levels.
‘But in the changing room, I believe I could have helped him, because that is where a lot of the culture derives from.’
Ferdinand also believes Arsenal’s £50million summer signing Ben White needs a new partner in defence after his debut ended in defeat with the Gunners comfortably beaten 2-0 by Brentford last Friday.
He said: ‘The issue I have with Arsenal is you can’t buy players for a year down the line.
Ferdinand admits it was the ‘right call’ by Wenger after he struggled at Loftus Road
‘Ben White is good now but what you need is someone to come in and grab the players in the training ground.
‘I feel that at this stage of his career, Ben White needs a partner to bring him a lot, like a Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane or Thiago Silva.
‘Arsenal have needed a centre-back to come in and defend. If I’m him I’m thinking, “I need some help, I’m getting exposed”.’
