Didier Drogba has developed a bond with the Chelsea supporters that can never be breached. He has spoken of the love and affection he has for the club countless times, with the pinnacle of his career having arrived in May 2012 when he fired the Blues to their first ever European Cup. It would seem a foreign concept to the Ivorian powerhouse to pull on the strip of another English club, having spent eight years at Stamford Bridge - and now enjoying a second stint at the club. However, Arsenals former tormentor-in-chief was very nearly a Gunner before Jose Mourinho lured him to west London in 2004.
''We were interested in him when he played in the French second Division with Le Mans, before he went to Guingamp. We went to watch him when he played in Le Mans a couple of times. But it did not happen at the time. What was unbelievable at the time was that his value was £100,000. We felt he might not be completely ready. - Arsene Wenger, April 2009.
Sometimes Arsenal supporters wish that their French boss would keep his mouth shut sometimes, as tidbits of information like this only exacerbate the pain at having missed out on a player who has repeatedly terrorised their defence over the years.
''I dont think that Wenger missed something with me, because he had Thierry Henry. I just think that if I didnt sign for Arsenal, I dont think it was my destiny. I believe a lot in destiny and I think that if something didnt happen, it was for a reason. - Didier Drogba, October 2010.
The Ivorians destiny was realised on a brisk night in Munich in May 2012, with a cool and firmly-placed penalty into the bottom right-hand corner of Manuel Neuers net.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
