Arsenal news: Fiorentina striker Martin Graiciar reveals Arsene Wenger wanted to sign him

Arsenal were in for Martin Graiciar as a youngster and had him on trial when he was just 14 years old.

The Gunners kept tabs on the young Czech striker with the view to singing him in 2015, once he had turned 16.

However, injuries scuppered the deal and Graiciar has explained it denied him his dream move to the Emirates.

“It’s one of the best clubs in the world,” the 18-year-old told Italian outlet CalcioMercato.

“I arrived in London when I was a 14-year-old. I played with the Under18 team, the Under20s and with Arsenal second team.

“After a few months of trials [Arsene] Wenger told me that I was an interesting player and that he thought he would have signed me on a permanent deal.

“In that moment, however, it was not possible for me because under the FIFA rules, a club can only sign a player after that he has turned 16. 

“I waited for a year and a half but when the moment had come I got injured and I had to remain on the sidelines for more than one year.

“Arsenal had been following me after the injury but they didn’t sign me in the end.”

Graiciar has since joined Serie A giants Fiorentina and is determined to make a success of his career in Italy.

“Now I am focused on Fiorentina,” he added.

“Everyone is very friendly at the club and I was left impressed by the clubs’ training facilities.

“They contacted me after a game I played against Brazil in the World Cup Youth Festival in Toulon.

“I played a good game and I had also scored against Scotland during the same competition. 

“Fiorentina had been scouting me already and they finally decided to sign me. I signed with them just before the beginning of the U19 European Championship.”