Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger tried to sign Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique when he raided Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas

Wenger attempted to persuade the Argentinian to join the Gunners in 2003 but a difficulties with his work permit scuppered any chance of a transfer

Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas celebrate for Barcelona (Getty Images)

Had it all worked out differently, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas would both be playing for Arsenal, the Gunners would have had a reliable world class centre-back and Arsene Wenger would be the most successful manager in the last decade after winning every trophy available.

As it stands though, Arsenal ended their nine-year wait for a trophy with last season’s FA Cup victory, Messi is one of the best players in the world with Barcelona and Fabregas is primed and ready to haunt the Gunners when he walks out in a Chelsea shirt against Arsenal on Sunday. And all of this because of a work permit.

He managed to gain Spanish citizenship three years later in 2006, but by that time he had already showed the Catalan club enough for them to realise he was going to be one of the greatest players to have graced the sport. As for Arsenal fans, they enjoyed 10 years of the likes of Nicklas Bendtner.

Fabregas went on to establish himself as one of the most impactful and skilled midfielders in the world, captaining the Gunners after the departure of Thierry Henry before returning to Barcelona in 2011. Despite his triumphant homecoming, Fabregas never really flourished during his second spell with Barcelona, and he was allowed to join Chelsea in the summer for £30m.

Gerard Pique spent four years with Manchester United before returning home (Getty Images)

Pique did follow Fabregas out of the Barcelona exit as he joined Manchester United a year later in 2004, but after just 12 appearances and a loan spell with Real Zaragoza during his four-year stay at Old Trafford, he returned to Catalonia to begin his incredible career that also saw him become a lynchpin of the all-conquering Span side that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.