The England international made a big-money move to Manchester City this summer.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action with Manchester City’s John Stones
This summer saw Manchester City snap up John Stones from Everton in a deal reported by the BBC to be worth £47.5 million.
The ball-playing centre-half was quickly targeted by new manager Pepe Guardiola as pivotal to his team’s progress under his philosophy and they paid big to secure his signature.
One former Arsenal defender believes that Stones would have undoubtedly been wanted by Arsene Wenger as well this summer.
Manchester City’s John Stones after sustaining an injury to his eye
Martin Keown was writing in his column for the Daily Mail when he suggested that Stones would have been a great buy for Arsenal – if they could have had any chance of affording him:
“Arsene Wenger would have wanted him if he could have afforded him. He is of the opinion that central defenders need to be technical players.
“He’s not so bothered about having giants in central defence – he’d rather have mobile, technical defenders – and is always on the lookout for a young, English centre back.
England’s John Stones
“Would Stones have improved Arsenal’s back four? He wouldn’t have made it any worse and will no doubt have come out with the ball as he has done for City.”
Getting fees of that amount sanctioned at Arsenal would appear nigh on impossible for a centre-forward, let alone a centre-back, so undoubtedly no deal ever looked likely.
But Arsenal did eventually spend quite big on German international Shkodran Mustafi – who is certainly not as good or talented as Stones.
Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi
Arsenal might have done better to break the bank for the Everton star and build their defence around him for the years to come.
Now Arsenal, along with the rest of the Premier League challengers, must watch with envy as he thrives in his new surroundings.
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