Gourcuff Surgery Prevented Arsenal Move

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Yoann Gourcuff's supposed move to Arsenal would have come to fruition had it not been for the surgery the French international had on his knee.

Gourcuff has not played a single game for Lyon this season but is likely to return to training after the international break.

“I was interested in Yoann Gourcuff because at one time he was available,” Wenger revealed to Eurosport.

“Unfortunately, we were in a hurry. We had to have players performing soon.

“He was at that time about to have surgery. The timing was not good for us. But I had learned of his medical condition.

“Unfortunately, we were in doubt because it was not certain if Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas would leave.”

Gourcuff was the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2008-09 and was in the UNFP Team of the Year for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

His addition to the Arsenal squad might provide them with the extra spark needed and Wenger, with his latest comments, has left the doors open for a January move.