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Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has explained why he refused an opportunity to move to Arsenal. At that time, Arsene Wenger was the boss at the Emirates.
A Bayern legend, Neuer, 39, has played 581 times across competitions for the Bavarian giants, keeping an impressive 281 clean sheets. That includes six clean sheets in 20 outings this season, with five of them coming in 12 matches in the Bundesliga for the league leaders.
Following a breakout U-19 campaign with FC Schalke, the then teenaged Neuer had caught the attention of legendary Gunners manager Wenger. However, the German custodian told Sky Germany why he turned down a move to North London two decades ago (as per BuLiNews via Bavarian Football Works):
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“After the U-19s, 1. FC Köln were very interested in me – and so were Arsenal. At the time, Arsène Wenger was still the coach and spoke many languages. But I didn’t want to go abroad because I knew how difficult it is as a young goalkeeper.”
In 31 games across competitions for Schalke's U-19 side, Neuer conceded 23 times, keeping 19 clean sheets. In the summer of 2011, the German moved to Bayern and has stayed put since then.
How has Manuel Neuer fared against Arsenal?
Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer has a rather modest record against Arsenal, a club he could have joined two decades back, but has carved out a niche for himself while playing in his native Germany.
In 11 games against the Gunners - all in the UEFA Champions League while at Bayern - Neuer has conceded 14 times and kept two clean sheets, helping his team to six wins and three defeats.
The German has kept just one clean sheet in his last eight games against Arsene Wenger's former side, winning four times and losing twice. However, Neuer and Bayern were at the wrong end of a 3-1 result in their last meeting with the Gunners in North London earlier this season in the Champions League.
It's pertinent to note that the Gunners and Bayern - in that order - lead the 36-team league phase standings after six games, with the Premier League leaders winning every match while Bayern have one fewer.
