Arsene Wenger : I Wanted To Sign Keisuke Honda

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is full of praise for Japan World Cup star Keisuke Honda.

It has been reported today that Arsene Wenger was close to taking the 24-year-old forward to the Emirates Stadium in the winter before CSKA Moscow outbid all suitors to buy him from Dutch minnows VVV Venlo for £5million.

He seamlessly fitted in at CSKA, helping them to the Champions League quarter-final, and has now been hailed as the star performer at the World Cup by Wenger.

“This Japanese team is based on a solid and collective defence in which everybody knows exactly what to do,’ said Wenger in analysing Japan’s World Cup performance.

“When they get the ball they can give it to Honda – and the magic starts.

“When they get that genius Honda playing up front, he has shown what a top class player he is. For me he’s the best performer of the competition so far.”

It is believed that Liverpool also watched Honda at VVV Venlo, while Ajax, PSV and Twente were also keen before CSKA move quickly to strike a deal in December.