A report in Spain is claiming that Arsenal were set to sign 21-year-old Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid before Tiago picked up a serious injury in November.

The article claims that Saul had his bags packed and was ready to head to London, although why he was packed so early with the window not open until January, is anyone’s guess.

Saul was unhappy with the playing time he was getting with the Spanish side but now, apparently, finally feels important at the club.

The player was apparently cleared to leave and Arsenal were set to land the midfielder they had watched for a number of years but it seems as if the chance to sign him has now gone.

“He has absolutely everything,” Diego Simeone said of the Spaniard. “[He’s] good in the air, [has] intensity, can play anywhere from midfield, can score, is good off the ball …”

With 24 appearances in the league this season and a total of 35 in all competitions, he is clearly seeing a lot more game time and has signed a contract tying him to Atletico Madrid until 2020.

Seems Saul is another one Arsene can add to his extensive ‘what might have been’ list.