Gabby Agbonlahor admits Arsenal interest in him ‘felt like a sideways move’ but wants Gunners to win Premier League
Published:
Gabby Agbonlahor admits Arsenal interest in him ‘felt like a sideways move’ but wants Gunners to win Premier League
- Villa ace says he was starstruck when Robert Pires signed for club in 2010
- “For me, there was interest from Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger, and it came around the period where I was probably in my prime… around 2008-10. I was playing so well and getting called up for England. Then there was more interest from Tottenham Hotspur in the 2010-11 season.”
- “At that time, Arsenal weren’t challenging for the title, neither were Spurs… along with Villa, the three teams were all going for the top four. So, in my eyes, they both just felt like sideways moves.”
- “But I was devastated to see my teammates leave, every summer. Season after season, I just knew that our plans of getting into the top four were never going to happen.”
- “I want Arsenal to win the Premier League. Arsenal were my second team growing up; obviously Aston Villa were my first team, but Arsenal were my second because of Thierry Henry.”
- “I was starstruck when Robert Pires turned up at Aston Villa, I can’t lie. Even then, when he would’ve been in his late thirties, some of the stuff he was doing in training was unreal.”
Arsenal and Spurs wanted me, but both felt like sideways moves…
For me, there was interest from Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger, and it came around the period where I was probably in my prime… around 2008-10. I was playing so well and getting called up for England. Then there was more interest from Tottenham Hotspur in the 2010-11 season.
But I was so in love with Aston Villa, neither move really went through my head as a genuine possibility. At that time, Arsenal weren’t challenging for the title, neither were Spurs… along with Villa, the three teams were all going for the top four. So, in my eyes, they both just felt like sideways moves. Spurs had so many options up-front, and so much competition for places, whereas at Villa I was one of the first names on the teamsheet; I was guaranteed to play, I was fighting for top four, I was around my family and I was getting England call-ups – I never really felt the need to leave.
But I was devastated to see my teammates leave, every summer. Season after season, I just knew that our plans of getting into the top four were never going to happen. It started with Gareth Barry, and then it just went on and on, and ultimately the problem was that Villa just couldn’t match the likes of Man City in terms of salaries. We’re talking whatever you were getting at Villa, City were offering you double to sign for them. As soon as Barry went, the rest just felt inevitable, like it was a matter of a time before they all moved on. And that’s what happened, and every season we were getting weaker. Then, after we sold Christian Benteke, we found ourselves in a position where we ended up going down. And that’s what happens if you’re a selling football club; look at Southampton… think about some of the players they had over the years, who they sold on, and eventually they end up in a position where they can’t cope in the Premier League.
I was starstruck when Robert Pires signed for Villa
I want Arsenal to win the Premier League. Arsenal were my second team growing up; obviously Aston Villa were my first team, but Arsenal were my second because of Thierry Henry. I was obsessed with him, as a kid; I wanted to shoot like him, with the side of his foot, I wanted to wear the same boots as him, and I was quick, too. I just wanted to be like him. I used to watch Arsenal a lot, when I was younger… I always wanted to see Henry, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg. That era of Arsenal was so good, and that’s the main reason I want them to win the league, over the likes of Man City and Liverpool.
I was starstruck when Robert Pires turned up at Aston Villa, I can’t lie. Even then, when he would’ve been in his late thirties, some of the stuff he was doing in training was unreal. He didn’t have much pace but his technique was just something else; he had that way of running with the ball, with his feet to the side. His finishing was amazing; he didn’t miss a chance in training. Everything about him, you could just tell he was incredible. And you’ve got to remember this is at the back end of the career, and if he was doing the kind of stuff he was doing at that age, you can just imagine what he’d have been like to play with in his prime. I think people forget how good he was on the pitch, but he was a top, top guy off it, too. He was great with the young lads, he looked after them and tried to give them advice.
But also, it’s been too long. It’s such a big club, and a really likeable one, too. Look, Man City have been outstanding over the last few years, but you don’t want to see them win the title every year. You know, four in a row for them, and you could end up with people calling us the Farmer League! You see it in France and Germany, where teams like PSG and Bayern Munich have dominated for so long, it’s nice when someone else comes along and causes a bit of an upset.
At the time of writing, Arsenal are still in the title race. The Gunners are 4/1 to win the Premier League come the end of the season. They’re also 1/150, joint with Liverpool, to finish in the top four and secure Champions League football for next season.
All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
