ARSENE Wenger has revealed how Arsenal were "very close" to signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
But the Arsenal boss maintains he would not swap his own goal-machine Emmanuel Adebayor for anyone.
The Portuguese winger - who arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon during August 2003 - has been in superb form again this season, netting 27 times as Manchester United lead the race for the Barclays Premier League crown, just ahead of the Gunners.
Wenger is renowned for scouting the world for potential talent, and Madeira-born Ronaldo, who turns 23 next week, was one youngster Arsenal were keeping close tabs on, but eventually lost out to the Red Devils, who have a partnership with Sporting.
However, the Arsenal boss is more than happy to have secured the services of Togo frontman Emmanuel Adebayor, who has developed into the "complete striker" this season and continues to go from strength to strength since arriving from Monaco two years ago.
"I knew about him yes. We were very close," said Wenger of Ronaldo.
"Manchester United had a partnership with Sporting Lisbon when [assistant coach] Carlos Queiroz came in - that made the difference.
"One day I will tell you more about that story and you will be surprised.
"You will have to ask him how close it was."
Wenger added: "He was here much earlier - he could tell you that if he wants."
The Arsenal manager admits Ronaldo would get his vote for Footballer of the Year, based purely on the last 12 months up to now.
"I did not expect Ronaldo to score as many as he did because he plays on the wing," said Wenger.
"Someone asked me what is the difference between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? It is the goals. Messi is more of a dribbler in a very short space, but Ronaldo is good in the air, good on free-kicks, right foot, left foot. He has developed very well.
"Another quality Ronaldo has is he is healthy. He does not miss games. He has missed less games than [Wayne] Rooney and Messi in the last two years. He can take the kicks."
Wenger, however, maintains there are no regrets about not landing Ronaldo - and hailed Adebayor as the best striker in the Premier League at the moment.
The 6ft 4ins frontman - who missed out on the African Nations Cup when Togo failed to qualify - took his tally to 19 in all competitions against Newcastle in midweek, and has now netted nine in seven consecutive games.
Adebayor, 23, has certainly come a long way in a short space of time, and is again expected to provide the main goal threat at Manchester City on Saturday.
"I would not give Adebayor to anybody, and I do not want to change my squad. I believe in the players I have," declared Wenger, who did not enter into the transfer market this month.
"A squad is more than a player from another one.
"It is more something you build slowly with an understanding and a balance.
"Adebayor gives us balance which we do not have without him."
Wenger feels Adebayor is the "complete striker", and has the temperament to match.
"He's a strong character in the dressing room and a winner," said Wenger.
"He's a guy who made mistakes at the start of his career, and has realised here that there's another life rather than just taking it easy.
"When he realised that he could live in the big world of top-class football players it changed him, and today he's a different animal, mainly mentally.
"He realised he wasted some time and it was time for him to be serious."
The Arsenal boss reflected: "Not many people believed in him, but when I saw him I had a little feeling and flash that he was something special."
Manchester United, Arsenal and indeed Chelsea show little sign of letting their title charge fade, as the top three have pulled themselves clear of Everton and a faltering Liverpool.
Wenger, though, rejects suggestions whichever side finishes with the hottest goalscorer will be crowned champions.
"I don't believe there's only one man who scores goals and you win titles," said the Arsenal boss.
"It doesn't happen like that. The expression of what we call a team is that anyone at any minute can score a goal."
Wenger, though, knows there is little margin for error over the final 14 league games.
He said: "It is unlikely that the three teams will drop many points.
"When you consider the number of games the teams have lost until now, you need to lose five or six each for anyone else to come in. It looks unlikely. It can happen to one but not to three."
Wenger, though, remains solely focused on what his Arsenal side can achieve, rather than what may or may not happen elsewhere.
He said: "Every point now is becoming important and every weekend is a big test.
"I enjoy the battle, but I want us to do well and not rely on anyone else."
The Portuguese winger - who arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon during August 2003 - has been in superb form again this season, netting 27 times as Manchester United lead the race for the Barclays Premier League crown, just ahead of the Gunners.
Wenger is renowned for scouting the world for potential talent, and Madeira-born Ronaldo, who turns 23 next week, was one youngster Arsenal were keeping close tabs on, but eventually lost out to the Red Devils, who have a partnership with Sporting.
However, the Arsenal boss is more than happy to have secured the services of Togo frontman Emmanuel Adebayor, who has developed into the "complete striker" this season and continues to go from strength to strength since arriving from Monaco two years ago.
"I knew about him yes. We were very close," said Wenger of Ronaldo.
"Manchester United had a partnership with Sporting Lisbon when [assistant coach] Carlos Queiroz came in - that made the difference.
"One day I will tell you more about that story and you will be surprised.
"You will have to ask him how close it was."
Wenger added: "He was here much earlier - he could tell you that if he wants."
The Arsenal manager admits Ronaldo would get his vote for Footballer of the Year, based purely on the last 12 months up to now.
"I did not expect Ronaldo to score as many as he did because he plays on the wing," said Wenger.
"Someone asked me what is the difference between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? It is the goals. Messi is more of a dribbler in a very short space, but Ronaldo is good in the air, good on free-kicks, right foot, left foot. He has developed very well.
"Another quality Ronaldo has is he is healthy. He does not miss games. He has missed less games than [Wayne] Rooney and Messi in the last two years. He can take the kicks."
Wenger, however, maintains there are no regrets about not landing Ronaldo - and hailed Adebayor as the best striker in the Premier League at the moment.
The 6ft 4ins frontman - who missed out on the African Nations Cup when Togo failed to qualify - took his tally to 19 in all competitions against Newcastle in midweek, and has now netted nine in seven consecutive games.
Adebayor, 23, has certainly come a long way in a short space of time, and is again expected to provide the main goal threat at Manchester City on Saturday.
"I would not give Adebayor to anybody, and I do not want to change my squad. I believe in the players I have," declared Wenger, who did not enter into the transfer market this month.
"A squad is more than a player from another one.
"It is more something you build slowly with an understanding and a balance.
"Adebayor gives us balance which we do not have without him."
Wenger feels Adebayor is the "complete striker", and has the temperament to match.
"He's a strong character in the dressing room and a winner," said Wenger.
"He's a guy who made mistakes at the start of his career, and has realised here that there's another life rather than just taking it easy.
"When he realised that he could live in the big world of top-class football players it changed him, and today he's a different animal, mainly mentally.
"He realised he wasted some time and it was time for him to be serious."
The Arsenal boss reflected: "Not many people believed in him, but when I saw him I had a little feeling and flash that he was something special."
Manchester United, Arsenal and indeed Chelsea show little sign of letting their title charge fade, as the top three have pulled themselves clear of Everton and a faltering Liverpool.
Wenger, though, rejects suggestions whichever side finishes with the hottest goalscorer will be crowned champions.
"I don't believe there's only one man who scores goals and you win titles," said the Arsenal boss.
"It doesn't happen like that. The expression of what we call a team is that anyone at any minute can score a goal."
Wenger, though, knows there is little margin for error over the final 14 league games.
He said: "It is unlikely that the three teams will drop many points.
"When you consider the number of games the teams have lost until now, you need to lose five or six each for anyone else to come in. It looks unlikely. It can happen to one but not to three."
Wenger, though, remains solely focused on what his Arsenal side can achieve, rather than what may or may not happen elsewhere.
He said: "Every point now is becoming important and every weekend is a big test.
"I enjoy the battle, but I want us to do well and not rely on anyone else."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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