Arsenal say no to French star

By European Football
January 15 2005

Arsene Wenger is insisting that he has no interest in bringing Lyon midfielder Michael Essien to Arsenal, the move had been regarded as highly likely in the French press, with only the amount they would have to pay, putting off Arsenal.

But Wenger was straight to the point stating that Arsenal were not interested in the player insisting:

"I was never interested in Essien."

"It was complete invention. I don't know where that news came from but its wrong news.

"And I will not sign him in the long term either."