Arsenal rejected chance to sign world's coolest goalkeeper

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 Mar 2023 19:24 GMT
• 3 min read

In the summer of 2021, Arsenal were searching for a new goalkeeper.

For a long while, the favourite to join the club was then-Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana.

The Cameroonian saw his contract expire at the end of the 2021-22 season, meaning he was available for a cut-price fee.

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Arsenal had held talks with Ajax, the player and his entourage. For a number of people within Arsenal, he was the preferred successor to Bernd Leno.

However, in the end, Arsenal opted against closing a deal for Onana. The main reason was due to a doping ban that would see him banned until November 2021.

As a result, Arsenal opted to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Bournemouth for £24 million.

As it happens, Ramsdale has been a success for the Gunners. He displaced Leno and has become an important member of the first team.

This season, Arsenal are on track to win their first Premier League title for 19 years.

Onana saw out his contract and joined Inter on a free transfer last summer.

The 26-year-old has been a revelation at San Siro, displacing long-term number one Samir Handanovic from the starting XI.

Onana one of best in Europe

The ex-Ajax man has been one of the best goalkeepers in all of Europe this season, perhaps the best of all in the Champions League so far.

He had a string of impressive performances in the group stages as Inter knocked out Barcelona.

But it was in the last-16 against Porto where he really shone. In both legs, Onana was magnificent as he made top-class saves to ensure Inter won 1-0 at home and drew 0-0 away to go through.

Deep in injury time, Onana made a miraculous stop on Mehdi Taremi’s header, pushing it on to the post.

As well as having cat-like reflexes, Onana is a commanding presence as he dominates his area. He is a leader and organiser, a very vocal presence.

Onana is brilliant with his feet and reads the game fantastically, acting as a sweeper.

But most impressively of all, Onana exudes such calm. He is never flustered and as cool as a cucumber in all situations.

It is like he is sitting in his living room with his feet up, such is the relaxed nature of Onana even when the pressure is at its highest.

The confidence he gives his defence cannot be underestimated. He has been one of the signings of the season in Europe in 2022-23.

And Onana could be playing for Arsenal now had they opted not to end talks back in 2021.