10 Boyhood Arsenal Fans The Gunners Should Have Signed

“I was a fan. Tony Adams was a true leader. Him and Martin Keown’s relationship was very good at the heart of that defence. I liked Thierry Henry. I watched Arsenal so much on TV. I did get the chance to go to Highbury and the Emirates when it first opened.” - Chris Smalling, March 2013.

He may be carving out a career at the bedrock of the Manchester United defence, attempting to overthrow the likes of Arsenal and reclaim what they feel to be their Champions League birthright, but there was a time when Chris Smalling would have been cheering on the Gunners.

A Londoner, born in Greenwich, he began his career at Maidstone United before spending a couple of years at Fulham. It didn’t take long for the big boys to notice his talents, Old Trafford scouts swooping for his signature in 2010 at the age of 20. With Arsenal’s defensive woes well-documented over the last number of years, the supporters will be wondering if the 26-year-old was one that got away.

However, it should be noted that the Gunners were indeed in for his signature at the time, only for Smalling to snub his boyhood club in favour of the giants from Manchester.

“That seems a long time ago but there was interest from Arsenal. I’m happy to be where I am now.” - Chris Smalling, October 2015.