‘Outstanding’ player actually rejected a late move to Arsenal on deadline day

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Arsenal sporting director Edu decided to cancel his travel plans to Monaco ahead of deadline day, evidently expecting it to be a busy one.

And it was, Arsenal signed experienced Premier League talents Neto and Raheem Sterling, strengthening their squad depth further.

Mikel Arteta also said goodbye to the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah – two players his project left behind.

And whilst Arsenal’s late Sterling capture looked as if it had completed Edu’s wishlist for the summer, one position remained vacant.

Heading into deadline day, Arsenal wanted to add a second-choice goalkeeper and a homegrown third option, a signing that never arrived.

Arsenal bought in Neto, but failed to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Daniel Bentley.

In fact, Arsenal also failed to sign Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle, who they made a late play for.

Sam Tickle rejected Arsenal move in favour of staying in League One this season

22-year-old Tickle has now made 59 appearances for Wigan and has become the club’s number one at a young age.

Tickle was described as an ‘outstanding young talent’ by his manager when signing a new contract back in May, one that will keep him at the club until 2028.

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And via journalist Alan Nixon, who shared the news on his Patreon, Tickle actually decided against a move to north London late in the window.

Tickle was asked about joining Arsenal to become third-choice under Arteta, taking a spot in the side’s Premier League squad.

However, the goalkeeper rejected the opportunity, saying he was ‘not interested’ in dropping into what is essentially a non-playing role.

Tickle decided to carry on in League One instead with Wigan, perhaps waiting to see what different opportunities arose in the future.

Arsenal might regret their decision not to pay Joan Garcia’s release clause

Although Arsenal ended up signing Neto on loan, it seemed as if the club predominantly wanted Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

Arsenal made a bid for Garcia, one that was below his active release clause.

Espanyol’s manager was convinced that Garcia would stay, and that he did after the Gunners refused to pay as much as £25m.

Although, that may end up looking like a mistake given that Garcia seems to be earning more plaudits by the game right now.

Perhaps that asking price could therefore be even higher in the summer, should Espanyol look to renegotiate with the young keeper.