Source: Telegraph
Marouane Chamakh: I turned down Tottenham and Liverpool to join Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has been a long time admirer of Chamakh and tabled a £6m bid for him last year. [LNB]Though the deal failed to be completed then, and despite being tempted to stay with the French champions and Champions League quarter-finalists, he has now agreed a free transfer to sign on at the Emirates for the next five years. [LNB] Related ArticlesArsenal set to offer Wenger new three-year contractBuffon may tempt Manchester City to swoopArsenal keeper woesWenger refuses to blame FabianskiArsenal Ladies 2 Everton Ladies 3Bolton keen to keep Jack Wilshere'It is true, I almost cracked,' he said. 'But, in February, I took my decision. A get-out clause would not have been logical after having turned down the offer from Arsenal last summer. [LNB]'There was Liverpool, Tottenham and unbelievable offers which came from Russia, enough to drive you crazy, a lot bigger than those from England. [LNB]'But I was focused on the Premier League. Bordeaux offered me an extension almost impossible to turn down financially. The numbers were very close to those of Arsenal. [LNB]'At Bordeaux, I was a child of the club. In London, I will no longer be a kid. I have grown up. I have things to prove. And I am motivated to do that. [LNB]'I have always liked the Arsenal style. I know that I am going to have to adapt to it. But I already know the passing game. [LNB]'I want more trophies after those I have won with Bordeaux, to play in the Champions League again and go as far as possible in that competition. [LNB]'I dream of winning the Champions League. I am looking forward to the atmosphere of English football - it is mad.'[LNB]
