Hamburg goalkeeper Rene Adler has revealed he had two chances to sign for Arsenal during his career.
Adler was linked with a move to Emirates over the summer and has revealed that the Gunners were in for him when he was 15 and again following the 2005 Under-20 World Cup, where he captained the German side.
"When I was 15 there was the opportunity to move to Arsenal, but I decided to go to Leverkusen to get a professional contract there," he said.
"There was contact after the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. I played against Lionel Messi and some other big names and there was contact with Arsenal."
He was also quick to play down speculation that he had been close to a move to the Emirates last summer.
"There was no contact," he said speaking as part of Strongbow's EARN IT. campaign in Berlin. "It's a big honour for me if a club like Arsenal are interested in me, but I've never talked with Arsene Wenger."
