Former Arsenal youngster Ismael Bennacer previously revealed that had the chance to join Manchester City but turned down the Blues – as he claims they wanted him to sleep at their academy.
The Algerian international moved to the Gunners in 2015, however he made just one appearance for the club. He then moved to Italy in 2017 where he found success with Empoli and then later, AC Milan.
The 26-year-old opened up about his opportunity to join City but claimed that he “wasn’t feeling it” when he arrived at their facilities. The midfielder recalled the story by telling about his chat with Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, who was then the City academy chief.
In an interview with Instant Foot, Bennacer explained how both clubs were interested in signing him and what ultimately led to his decision. The Milan star said: “(City) called me and told me ‘We want you to be with the reserves’ and everything. It’s City, man. I was ready. They told me ‘Come see the facilities’ – so I did. I got there, I don’t know, I wasn’t feeling it.”
Bennacer says he was impressed by City’s state-of-the-art set-up but he shared his concerns over the club’s plans for him. He also added that City were reluctant to grant him his wish of having his own place to stay.
“Their facilities were crazy. Amazing. I spoke with Vieira and everything,” he said. “I liked the talk we had, but the fact they wanted me at the academy to sleep there… I wanted a flat. I wanted my sister to come with me. That’s why I dropped City. Then there was Arsenal towards the end of July.”
Bennacer eventually cashed in on the early promise that had led to the Premier League giants chasing him once he was granted his move to Italy. Winning Serie B in his first season with Empoli, he later secured the Serie A title with AC Milan in May 2022 after signing for the club for €16million (£13.7million).
The then-21-year-old was part of the Algerian side that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 too. He was also named Player of the Tournament at the competition.
There has been talk of Bennacer returning to Arsenal since he has flourished in Serie A. Speaking to Sport Bible in December 2023, the holding midfielder revealed that, despite not breaking through at the the Gunners, he still claims it as a constructive time in his career.
“At Arsenal, my goal wasn’t to play in the reserve team but the first team,” he said. “I wasn’t given that opportunity but it was a positive experience that helped me in my career.”
Bennacer also disclosed that both Milan and Arsenal share an ethos and that the Gunners are still a team he very much admires. And while he speaks highly of the Rossoneri, he did leave the door open for a possible return to the Emirates Stadium.
“It’s true that Arsenal are among the clubs close to my heart,” he said. “Arsenal and Milan have many similarities in terms of the organisation and the fact they are family clubs.
“The Premier League is a very big competition and anyone would want to play there. But Milan is also a massive club and I feel very, very happy here. I’m someone who always likes to have targets for the future, but there are lots of things I still want to achieve with Milan. We’ll see.”
