Chelsea had bid accepted for ‘outstanding’ footballer in 2020, he’s now one of Arsenal’s most important players

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea travel to the Emirates this Sunday to take on London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League.

It is a fixture that will see Chelsea come up against a couple of players who were once on their radar.

In 2023, Chelsea made an enquiry about signing David Raya, but nothing came from it and the goalkeeper eventually left Brentford for Arsenal.

However, he is not the only player in the Gunners’ backline who has attracted interest from the Blues before.

• READ MORE: Chelsea would be in the Premier League title race if they had signed ‘magnificent’ Arsenal player and former teammate shortlisted years ago

Chelsea wanted to sign Gabriel in 2020

Before his move to Arsenal five years ago, Gabriel was a target for multiple clubs in Europe, including Chelsea.

It has been claimed that Chelsea actually had an offer for Gabriel accepted, only for the central defender to join Arsenal in the end.

He will now be looking to frustrate the Blues when his side welcome them to the Emirates over the weekend.

As for the visitors, they will be relying on Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana to shut down Arsenal’s attack. With the latter fit again, you would expect that to be Enzo Maresca‘s central defensive partnership on Sunday.

Chelsea have not been as consistent as their London rivals this season, but Colwill claims the Chelsea dressing room is still enjoying playing under the Italian.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
2	ArsenalArsenal	28	15	10	3	52	24	28	55
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	28	15	6	7	45	33	12	51
4	ChelseaChelsea	28	14	7	7	53	36	17	49
5	Man CityManchester City	28	14	5	9	53	38	15	47

When Colwill discussed Maresca on Wednesday, he said: “The way he teaches us every day has been top. I really enjoy playing under him and I know everyone in the changing room does too.”

Why Chelsea will have regrets about missing out on Gabriel

Colwill and Fofana is by no means a bad central defensive partnership. In fact, before Fofana got injured, it was a partnership that helped Chelsea to climb all the way to second in the Premier League table.

Even so, the Blues would not say no to Gabriel. There will certainly be some regret about missing out on the 27-year-old.

Gabriel only cost Arsenal £23m and has since gone on to become one of their most important players.

“He’s forming an outstanding partnership,” Martin Keown told TNT Sports last season when discussing Gabriel. “He’s got character, scores goals as well from set-pieces and is really in form.”

Chelsea have got themselves some bargains down the years, and Gabriel could have so easily been another had they landed him in 2020.