Jeremy Monga explains ‘no-brainer’ decision to turn down Arsenal for Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City’s latest signing Jeremy Monga has opened up on how close he came to joining Arsenal before ultimately choosing the Etihad Stadium, saying the decision ultimately came down to pathway and the club’s record of success.

Monga joined Manchester City from Leicester City in a deal worth £10 million in July, having established himself as one of English football’s most exciting young wide players during a debut senior season that saw him become the youngest ever goalscorer in the EFL Championship and one of the youngest players in Premier League history.

The 17-year-old was one of the most coveted academy-age talents in the country ahead of the window, with a host of clubs – including Arsenal – understood to have made strong approaches for a player whose age, profile and trajectory made him an obvious target for the Premier League’s most active recruiters.

Arsenal’s interest in particular had been well-documented, and Monga’s decision to choose Manchester City over a move to Hale End was one of the more significant academy recruitment battles of the summer – one that City ultimately won on the strength of their track record and the vision they laid out for his development.

Since joining forces with Enzo Maresca ahead of his first season as Manchester City manager, Monga has spoken directly about how close that decision came to going the other way.

I see myself in blue, says Monga after snubbing Arsenal for Man City

Speaking to BBC Sport’s Shamoon Hafez, Monga gave a peak through the curtain into the level of Arsenal’s interest and the closeness of a decision that ultimately pointed him toward Manchester City.

“It was very strong. It was very close to me going there, very close,” said Monga of Arsenal’s pursuit. “The main decision was probably the pathway and club itself.

“They’ve been so successful that it was a no-brainer when City call. It’s every child’s dream to win trophies and be at the top with the best.”

On his own ambitions at the Etihad Stadium and what he intends to do with the opportunity now that it has arrived, he added: “Once I get the opportunity I just need to show myself, and once I do, everything will take care of itself. I feel, to me personally, I see myself at City more. I see myself in blue.”

Manchester City’s summer transfer window so far

City’s pursuit of Monga was part of a summer that has seen the club invest significantly across multiple levels of the squad, with the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest headlining a window that could soon see goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli come in from Marseille.

At the academy level, City have also beaten Arsenal to the signing of Mishel Nduka from Hale End – a double coup that reinforced the club’s growing dominance in the competition for the country’s most sought-after young talent, with wages and pathway both cited as decisive factors.

On the outgoing side, James Trafford is on the verge of completing a move to Leeds United, while Tijjani Reijnders has emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest in a deal worth around £60 million. Rodri’s future also continues to develop in the background.

Monga’s arrival adds another dimension to a summer that has been as much about building for the long term as it has been about addressing the immediate requirements of Maresca’s first season – with director of football Hugo Viana assembling a squad that aims to be competitive now while laying the foundations for the years ahead.