Rennes defender now valued at £8m says ‘I was meant to sign for Arsenal’ before ‘problems with papers’ scuppered Bensebaini’s move
Algerian centre-back will finally end up at the Emirates when the Gunners face the French club in the Europa League
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RENNES defender Ramy Bensebaini says "I was meant to sign for Arsenal" before "problems with papers" scuppered his dream move to England.
The Algerian centre-back, who is now valued at £8milion, joined the French club from Paradou AC in his homeland back 2016 after loan spells at Lierse and Montpellier.
The versatile 23-year-old, who was a target for Everton last summer, revealed he was close to signing for Arsenal after he was given a trial at the Emirates.
Bensebaini, who will face the Gunners in the Europa League round-of-16, confirmed that his dream opportunity collapsed at the last minute due to work permit issues.
Speaking to he said: “I spent a month there on trial in 2015. I was training with the first-team and was playing with the reserves.
"I’d spoken to Arsene Wenger a few times. I was meant to sign, but there was a problem with the papers regarding my nationality. In the end, it didn’t happen. I’m glad to see Arsenal again”.
Bensebaini's career then saw him end up on loan at Montpellier before his performances convinced Rennes to spend £1.8million on him in 2016.
The defender, who has impressed this season with two goals and one assist in 29 appearances, could have proved useful at Arsenal with Mustafi's continued woes.
Gunners fans have blamed the German after it was revealed Arsenal concede nearly twice as many penalties as their top-six rivals.
Mustafi's latest gaffe came during the North London derby when he allowed Harry Kane to equalise from the spot after he needlessly barged into the striker in the box.
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The spot-kick award sparked a debate as Kane seemed to be in an offside position when Mustafi committed the foul.
But Arsenal fans slammed the 26-year-old defender - who played right-back on Saturday - for the mistake, especially after this latest Gunner stat emerged.
One Emirates fan account revealed that in the last three seasons, Arsenal have conceded more penalties than any other team in the Premier League.
The Gunners have been penalised for fouls in the box 22 times, more than double the amount of Chelsea, 5, Tottenham, 10, Manchester United, 10, and Manchester City, 11.