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. 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.  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. 'There was Liverpool, Tottenham and unbelievable offers which came from Russia, enough to drive you crazy, a lot bigger than those from England. '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. '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. '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. '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. 'I dream of winning the Champions League. I am looking forward to the atmosphere of English football - it is mad.'

Source: Telegraph