Former Nice footballer, Kevin Anin, who was forced into early retirement due to a tragic car crash, has opened up about almost signing for Arsenal.

The midfielder, who also played for French clubs Le Havre and Sochaux, described to So Foot [via Sport Witness] how Arsene Wenger invited him around to his house while he was at Sochaux (2010 – 2012).

“I went to Wenger’s house,” he said.

“There was my agent and Gilles Grimandi. We were on his sofa, there was some guy mowing the lawn, his piano, pictures of his daughter.”

He added, “We spoke for two hours. He made me understand he wanted me personally. He told me Arsenal were working on another deal, Yann M’Vila, but he wasn’t the one taking care of that. I felt weird. I could see myself at Arsenal a bit, but I didn’t want to go.

“I was so happy at Sochaux. I was doing well there, and even if it was Arsenal, and that financially it was good for my career, there was something stopping me.”

Anin was then, in 2013 after joining Nice, involved in a tragic car crash with his friend on their way back from Belgium in which he lost the use of his legs. Paralysed, the midfielder was forced to retire; he’s only just turned 30 this year.

Despite his career ending in such a terrible way, it’s good that he has a somewhat fond memory of meeting Wenger, even if at the time he did feel a bit weird since he was happy at Sochaux.

During his career, the Frenchman made 90 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring a three goals in that time.