West Brom midfielder Gareth Barry has revealed Arsenal tried to sign him twice as he prepares to break the Premier League appearance record at the Emirates Stadium.
The 36-year-old will play in his 633rd top-flight game and eclipse Ryan Giggs' record if he features against the Gunners on Monday.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he wanted to take Barry to north London when he left Aston Villa to join Manchester City in 2009 but could not compete with City's financial muscle.
The Gunners were also keen before Barry joined Everton five years later and the player acknowledged it would have been good to work with Wenger.