Aaron Ramsey has revealed that Arsene Wenger and a private jet helped convince him to join Arsenal over Manchester United.
In 2008, the Welshman was in popular demand and was being tracked by two of the Premier League's top clubs.
He had been in advanced talks in Manchester, which may have seemed the ideal choice given that his dad was a passionate United supporter.The midfielder came so close to joining united that they announced his signing on the club website.
However, according toSky Sports,a late move by Arsenal boss Wenger made Ramsey feel 'more wanted' as he flew the player out to Switzerland to meet him.
"I went up there to see the facilities and I went to see Arsene Wenger," he said.
"He did a lot to try and get me to this club. As a 17-year-old, flying out on a private jet to his hotel (in Switzerland for Euro 2008) was surreal but I think I made the right decision.
"I just felt a bit more wanted by Arsenal and by the boss."
Despite eventually joining Arsenal, Ramsey respected the rivalry the clubs had back in the 90s and early 2000s, especially the midfield battles.
"I always remember it being a tough clash and a massive battle," he added.
"[Roy] Keane and [Patrick] Vieira, they would just be at each other from the first minute to the last.It was like they hated each other and they wanted to go out and be physical and smash into each other.
"But they were really exciting games and things like the incidents in the tunnel would (as a kid) get you massively pumped for them."