Ex-Ghana international Shilla Illiasu Alhassan has revealed that failing to join English giants Arsenal after the 2006 World Cup is his biggest career regret.
The former King Faisal star was on the verge of joining the Gunners following an impressive World Cup in Germany, but due to last minute hitches, his dream move was hindered.
"When the opportunity to play for Arsenal came, I was in doubt. I didn’t think my dream was coming to pass. I love Arsenal,” he told Tv3.
“After our game against Czech, I was at the hotel when my agent came to me and said ‘Shilla, gradually we are getting close; Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger was at the stadium and so, after the tournament you are going to Arsenal for trials’.
“I went to Arsenal for two weeks. I nearly signed a deal. I remember Ghana’s game against Togo in London, I came to the match and saw a journalist and he said ‘Shilla, congratulations you have been given the number 27 jersey to represent Arsenal’.
"Kolo Touré was there and he also said ‘sign what are you waiting for’ and I told him I was waiting for my agent. If you ask me what really went wrong, I can’t tell. I really regret not signing for Arsenal,” he concluded.
After failing to join Arsenal, the lanky defender moved to Russia to join FC Saturn.