Atletico Madrid and France forward Antoine Griezmann revealed Arsenal had the chance to sign him in the past, but lost out due to them stalling on talks.

The 26-year-old came close to arriving at the Emirates in 2013, and he explained how Arsenal kept him waiting for a deal that never went through, reports the Daily Star.

Griezmann’s former agent Eric Olhats was in regular contact with Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi at the time, and the latter told Olhats of Arsene Wenger’s interest.

As a result, the then-Real Sociedad forward, who scored 10 goals in 34 games that season, turned down offers from other clubs and waited for Arsenal to make an official approach. However, nothing came his way from the Gunners.

“I waited, I waited, and I kept waiting… when there was no news, Eric called Grimandi, who said that the manager was still interested in me and to keep waiting,” he said.

“Finally a few hours before the market closed, he let us know Arsenal would not make a move. I don’t like to be told something and for it not to happen.

“So when Eric told me later that the London club were interested again I told him ‘Forget it, after the blow they gave us’.”

The news will no doubt enrage Arsenal supporters, and that same summer reportedly saw them miss out on Gonzalo Higuaín and Luis Suarez.

The Gunners instead brought in Yaya Sanogo, who ended up scoring one competitive goal during his time at the Emirates.

Alexandre Lacazette has spoken out about his desire to play with Griezmann at club level, but it seems the Atleti man doesn’t share the same wish.