SM
Brighton vs. Southampton: 11 hrs 49 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Joey Barton: 'I was close to joining Arsenal'

:Headline: Joey Barton: 'I was close to joining Arsenal': ID:4033: from db_amp
Joey Barton confesses that he was close to joining Arsenal on a free transfer from Newcastle United.

Joey Barton has admitted that he was close to joining Arsenal after being told he could leave Newcastle United on a free transfer.

However, following a clash with Gunners attacker Gervinho on the opening day of the season while playing for the Magpies, the 29-year-old revealed that his chances of signing on at the Emirates Stadium evaporated.

The midfielder eventually joined Queens Park Rangers, but he confesses that things could have been different.

"If I hadn't played against Arsenal, I may have signed for them," Barton told BBC Sport.

"There were a couple of conversations [with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger] but that's different to actually signing.

"The Gervinho incident happened and there's nothing I can do about it now. If it happened again, I'd like to think I'd deal with it differently."

Barton has been made Rangers captain by manager Neil Warnock.

amp_article__4033 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2011-09-22 10:22:49:
html db last update - 2011-09-22 10:22:49 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Arsene Wenger

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .