Kenny Cunningham: Arsenal manager will regret not signing Man United defender
Kenny Cunningham says Arsenal would be clear title favourites if Arsene Wenger had signed Manchester United star
Arsenal would have the Premier League title wrapped up if Arsene Wenger had signed Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, according to Kenny Cunningham.
The Gunners are the favourites to win the Premier League title this term after Monday night’s impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.
I bet Wenger wished he had gone and signed Smalling
Kenny Cunningham
The north London side are two points behind surprise leaders Leicester City ahead of their clash against Southampton on Boxing Day after scoring 31 times in 17 Premier League games.
While Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, former Republic of Ireland defender Cunningham believes Wenger’s defence could ultimately cost them the title after the Arsenal manager missed out on the chance to sign Smalling in 2014.
“Interestingly, Smalling was linked with a move to Arsenal a year or so ago,” Cunningham told Newstalk’s Off The Ball podcast.
“There was some talk of Wenger getting him and Manchester United were interested in doing some business if they could get their money back.
“I bet Wenger wished he had gone and signed Smalling. A pairing of Smalling and Koscielny, for me, you could give Arsenal the title.
“It’s a shame that he missed Smalling.”
The England defender was linked with a move to The Emirates last season after Danny Welbeck completed the switch from United to Arsenal.
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Smalling turned down a move to the Gunners in 2010 after the 25-year-old centre-half left Fulham for United in a £10m deal.
