Shocking: Former Chelsea Player Reveals He Almost Joined Arsenal
May 7, 2019 at 3:55 PM
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has revealed he was on the verge of joining Arsenal in 2010.
The Australia international, who was plying his trade for Fulham at that time, said that the move could not materialise after the-then boss Roy Hodgson was replaced by Mark Hughes.
Speaking to Fantasy FC, the 44-year old revealed:“Yeah, I would (have left Fulham for Arsenal) definitely.”
“Roy Hodgson rang me. It was about three days before the World Cup in South Africa, and he says to me ‘Mark, the Arsenal have been on the phone. They’re interested. Do you want to go?’
“I went ‘Definitely. I loved my time at Fulham. It’s been brilliant and really great working under you.
“But yeah, it’s an opportunity to play Champions League football and play for an unbelievable club.’
“So he says ‘Yeah, we’ll sort it out. We’ll get another goalkeeper in. As long as we get enough money for you, we’ll make it happen.’
“I was delighted, but unfortunately about three weeks later, he left and went to Liverpool. So I waited until about two weeks before the start of the season when Mark Hughes was appointed.
“My very first conversation with Mark was knocking on his door, saying ‘Gaffer, nice to meet you. As you know, Arsenal made an offer and I want to leave, could you please sell me?’. That’s how it kinda went. It dragged on and dragged on, and unfortunately it didn’t eventuate,” he added.
The goalkeeper’s desire of playing for a big club finally was finally fulfilled when he signed a one-year contract with Fulham’s West London rivals Chelsea on a free transfer in 2013. During his time with the Blues, he played second fiddle to Petr Cech and then later Thibaut Courtois before moving to Leicester City in 2015. He was released from Leicester City after the end of 2015-16 season and is currently without a club.