Arsenal were eager to sign former FC Ufa defender Igor Diveev last year, it has been revealed.

Diveev left Ufa at the time for CSKA Moscow on-loan before eventually signing permanently.

Ufa chief Shamil Gazizov revealed, "Diveev was in demand from Monaco and Arsenal. He grew up with us. Developed very dynamically. I know his father very well.

"Arsenal and Monaco were interested in Igor, but they chose CSKA, this was the best continuation for him in development.

"My relations with (CKSA coach Viktor) Goncharenko also played a big role, plus Diveev himself wanted it."