The Glasgow Rangers midfielder was linked with Arsenal once upon a time.
Joey Barton has revealed via Four Four Two magazine that he would have jumped at the chance to join Arsenal five years ago.
The 33-year-old Rangers midfielder was linked with Arsenal shortly before the 2011-12 kicked off.
As luck would have it, Barton – then at Newcastle United – came up against the Gunners on the first week of that season, and found himself at the centre of controversy after instigating an incident which saw Gervinho red carded.
Asked by Four Four Two whether or not he spoke with Arsenal, the Rangers man responded: “No, intermediaries spoke on their behalf.
“There was definitely some low-level interest, and before I got sent off against Arsenal, when the thing with Gervinho happened, I was due to hold some form of discussions with them.
“But then it never came to be. Would I have like to have played for Arsenal? Of course. Who wouldn’t?”
It remains to be seen whether Barton – who joined QPR a year later – was ever good enough for Arsenal. He does not seem to be the archetypal Arsene Wenger as far as midfielders go. Then again, Wenger has made his fair share of head-scratching signings.
Nevertheless, Barton will look to impress for Rangers this Saturday when the Gers visit Glasgow enemies Celtic at Parkhead- his first Old Firm derby.
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