David Silva was targeted by Arsenal in 2005. (Getty Images)
David Silva was targeted by Arsenal in 2005. (Getty Images)

Arsenal passed up the chance to sign David Silva before he joined Manchester City, according to reports.

The Spain international was being watched by Gunners scouts during his loan spell with Eibar in 2004.

Arsenal’s head of overseas recruitment Francis Cagagio, who played a key role in spotting Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin, was also monitoring Silva’s progress.

But according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal decided against signing Silva in 2005 as they felt he did not have enough physicality to be a success in the Premier League.

David Silva could have ended up joining Arsenal. (Getty Images)
David Silva could have ended up joining Arsenal. (Getty Images)

Silva eventually joined Manchester City five years later and has helped the club win the Premier League twice.

The 31-year-old is also widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in the division – and Guardiola has highlighted how key the midfielder is to his current City side.

‘I believe that it’s impossible to play quite good if the ball isn’t passed in the middle,’ Guardiola said earlier this week.

‘It’s a lot of risk to pass in the middle because it’s a counter attack. Always I put in the middle the players who can keep it as long as possible even with a lot of pressure from the opponent and David is a master for that.

‘You see he’s shy, he doesn’t talk too much but when he goes on the pitch he’s a huge personality.

‘It’s never one step back – in the bad moments he always makes a step forward, he is a legend at this club.’