Ex-Serie A star reveals rejected Arsenal offer: ‘Wenger wanted me’ | OneFootball

Former Swiss international Gökhan Inler reveals Arsene Wenger wanted to sign him at Arsenal, but Udinese rejected the Gunners’ approach.

Former Udinese midfielder Inler, now a director for the Bianconeri, could have joined Arsenal as a footballer.

The ex-midfielder revealed the Gunners’ interest during his latest interview with The Italian Football Podcast.

EMPOLI, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Gokan Inler of Udinese Calcio looks on during the Serie A match between Empoli and Udinese at Stadio Carlo Castellani on November 25, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“Of course, during this time, I had an agent. I didn’t have so much information as I was concentrating on the pitch. Yes, the rumours were there. Behind the scenes, now I understand what happens behind the scenes, but before, you don’t know what’s going on,” Inler said.

“But yeah, it could be, I read about this. But I can say, and many people don’t know about this, but in my first year at Udine, I had an offer from Arsenal. However, the club said no, Inler is part of our project, so I stayed here four years.

“Yes, Arsene Wenger wanted me, correct. As I said, I didn’t know what was going around, but I was also a Swiss national team player with Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos were Arsenal players. That’s why I saw the coach with the national team, but in the end the club decided to keep me, and I had a great four years with Udinese.”

Inler won the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2015-16 and opened up about his rapport with Jamie Vardy during the same interview.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 29: Arsene Wenger, French former football player and manager and current FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, is seen in attendance prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

A former Swiss midfielder, Inler played for Udinese and Napoli in Serie A, scoring 15 goals in 259 appearances in Italy’s top flight.

Inler, 41, made his senior Switzerland debut in February 2006 and scored seven goals in 89 international matches.

Inler was appointed as Udinese’s Head of the Technical Area last summer. The 41-year-old played 162 games with the Bianconeri as a footballer, scoring nine goals.

During his time in Italy, Inler won two Coppa Italia titles and one Supercoppa Italiana with Napoli.