http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/24042009/58/premier-league-ibrahimovic-snubbed-arsenal.html
Premier League -
Ibrahimovic: I snubbed Arsenal
Eurosport - Fri, 24 Apr 13:50:00 2009
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has told Eurosport how close he came to signing for Arsenal.
FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Serie A Internazionale Fiorentina-Inter Ibrahimovic - 0
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The Swedish star, now of Internazionale, turned down the Gunners in 2001 and joined Ajax instead.
He has since gone on to become one of the most potent and skilful strikers in world football and is well on his way to his third consecutive Serie A title with Inter.
The young Ibrahimovic travelled to London for talks with Arsene Wenger but opted for the Dutch giants instead.
"When I was in Malmo there was someone who invited me to Arsenal to see Mr Wenger," said Ibrahimovic, speaking exclusively on Eurogoals One to One.
"And I went there, I saw Patrick Vieira and the other big players who were there and when I met Wenger we spoke a little bit.
"Then I also had Monaco, Ajax and Roma who contacted me. But in the end Ajax were keener. I think it was a better solution for me even if Wenger is doing fantastic job with the young guys."
Ibrahimovic also revealed that he wants a new challenge away from Inter, and is considering a move to Spain.
"I have a contract with Inter and I feel well here. But as the same time I would like to test something new now because I've been in Italy for five years," he said.
"I won everything in Italy, I learnt a lot from Italy. But there is a moment in your life, like when I was at Ajax, when you say to yourself you want to try something new."
The 27-year-old joined Inter from Italian rivals Juventus where he worked under Fabio Capello.
Ibrahimovic was effusive in his praise for the England manager's coaching style.
"Capello helped me a lot, he trained a lot with me to learn about Italian football," he said.
"After a couple of months he called me into his office. He said 'sit down' and he turned on the TV, it was a small one, he put in a tape and told me 'study this now for 10 or 15 minutes; this is the way you have to move in the box'.
"On that tape was Marco Van Basten, all his goals. He put on his clothes and he went home. I was alone sitting there and watching the tapes of Van Basten with only goals, goals, goals."
Watch the complete interview with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Eurogoals One to One on Monday April 27 at 17:45 UK time on British Eurosport.
British Eurosport is available in the UK on Sky channel 410 and Virgin Media channel 521, and on your PC via the Eurosport Player. Click the link under the photo for details.
Alex Chick / Eurosport
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