Arsene Wenger believes Jadon Sancho is “one of the best players of his generation” and tried to sign him during his time at Arsenal.
The Borussia Dortmund star is thriving for England now and scored his first international goals in the 5-3 win over Kosovo.
And Wenger quickly heaped praise on Sancho before revealing his previous attempts to bring him to the Emirates.
“I wanted to take him from Man City when he didn’t get the games,” Wenger told beIN Sports.
“I tried to lure him because he’s from London. I tried to get him to Arsenal.
1/20 Emile Smith Rowe (19) – Arsenal
The winger made a prolific breakthrough into the first-team last season, scoring three goals in six games, before being ruled out with a groin injury. After spending six months at RB Leipzig last season, he has been promoted to the senior squad on a full-time basis.
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2/20 Colin Odutayo (18) – Aston Villa
The skilful Netherlands youth international impressed in the U18s Premier League last season, cutting in off the left-wing scoring 7 goals and adding a further four assists.
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3/20 Lloyd Kelly (20) – Bournemouth
Suffered a cruel injury blow soon after joining the Cherries from Bristol for £13m over the summer. The full-back has huge potential and will be hopeful of breaking into the starting eleven quickly.
AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
4/20 Aaron Connolly (19) – Brighton
The young Irish striker had a brilliant season for the U23s, ending the season with 16 goals in 18 appearances. Can hope to make his breakthrough in the
Getty
5/20 Josh Benson (19) – Burnley
Joined after ending a two-year scholarship at Arsenal and was included in Burnley’s pre-season tour of Portugal.
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6/20 Reece James (19) – Chelsea
Starring on loan at Wigan last season, the versatile full-back was named in the Championship team of the season and is pushing for a starting place after Davide Zappacosta’s departure.
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7/20 Tyrick Mitchell (19) – Crystal Palace
The young full-back was included in the club’s pre-season plans and has been compared to Aaron Wan-Bissaka by teammate Andros Townsend.
Getty
8/20 Lewis Gibson (19) – Everton
The centre-back joined the Toffees from Newcastle for a fee that could ultimately rise to £6m and has immediately impressed with the club’s youth sides.
Everton FC via Getty Images
9/20 George Hirst (20) – Leicester
The England youth international joined Leicester in the summer after one season with the club’s sister side OH Leuven in Belgium and featured in this summer’s Toulon Tournament.
Getty
10/20 Ki-Jana Hoever (17) – Liverpool
The Dutch centre-back was handed his debut in the FA Cup at just 16 years old and will expect to get more first-team minutes under Jurgen Klopp, who is an outspoken admirer of Virgil van Dijk’s mentee.
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
11/20 Ian Carlo Poveda (19) – Manchester City
After spells at Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Brentford, City snapped up the England youth international, who made his debut in the League Cup win over Burton last season.
Manchester City FC via Getty Ima
12/20 Brandon Williams (18) – Manchester United
The highly touted left-back travelled with United’s Champions League squad after an impressive season with the U18s and is set to challenge Luke Shaw in years to come.
Getty
13/20 Matty Longstaff (19) – Newcastle
His older brother Sean has stolen the plaudits thus far, but his younger brother is not far behind and was included on the club’s pre-season tour of China.
PA
14/20 Stephen Mallon (20) – Sheffield United
The Irishman impressed on loan in Australia last season before appearing in the Toulon Tournament.
Getty
15/20 Adam Idah (18) – Norwich
The 18-year-old striker was awarded a new contract in the summer after scoring a goal every 170 minutes for the U23s last season before impressing for Ireland in the Toulon Tournament over the summer.
PA
16/20 Jake Vokins (19) – Southampton
The young full-back seems destined to make a push for first-team minutes and can challenge Ryan Bertrand after the Saints opted to sell Matt Targett.
Southampton FC via Getty Images
17/20 Troy Parrott (17) – Tottenham
The Irish striker starred during Spurs’ pre-season and has since returned to goalscoring form with the U23s. Mauricio Pochettino is a keen admirer and a debut is not far away.
REUTERS
18/20 Joao Pedro (17) – Watford
The Brazilian prodigy has thrilled at Fluminese and will link up with Watford’s senior squad in January once he has turned 18.
Getty
19/20 Amadou Diallo (16) – West Ham
The prodigious winger is regarded as one of England’s best prospects and has soared through the academy age groups, attracting a wealth of suitors from across Europe.
Getty
20/20 Terence Taylor (18) – Wolves
The defensive midfielder excited on the club’s pre-season tour, having been called up to Wales’ senior squad while still a 17-year-old.
Getty
1/20 Emile Smith Rowe (19) – Arsenal
The winger made a prolific breakthrough into the first-team last season, scoring three goals in six games, before being ruled out with a groin injury. After spending six months at RB Leipzig last season, he has been promoted to the senior squad on a full-time basis.
Getty
2/20 Colin Odutayo (18) – Aston Villa
The skilful Netherlands youth international impressed in the U18s Premier League last season, cutting in off the left-wing scoring 7 goals and adding a further four assists.
Getty
3/20 Lloyd Kelly (20) – Bournemouth
Suffered a cruel injury blow soon after joining the Cherries from Bristol for £13m over the summer. The full-back has huge potential and will be hopeful of breaking into the starting eleven quickly.
AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
4/20 Aaron Connolly (19) – Brighton
The young Irish striker had a brilliant season for the U23s, ending the season with 16 goals in 18 appearances. Can hope to make his breakthrough in the
Getty
5/20 Josh Benson (19) – Burnley
Joined after ending a two-year scholarship at Arsenal and was included in Burnley’s pre-season tour of Portugal.
Getty
6/20 Reece James (19) – Chelsea
Starring on loan at Wigan last season, the versatile full-back was named in the Championship team of the season and is pushing for a starting place after Davide Zappacosta’s departure.
Getty
7/20 Tyrick Mitchell (19) – Crystal Palace
The young full-back was included in the club’s pre-season plans and has been compared to Aaron Wan-Bissaka by teammate Andros Townsend.
Getty
8/20 Lewis Gibson (19) – Everton
The centre-back joined the Toffees from Newcastle for a fee that could ultimately rise to £6m and has immediately impressed with the club’s youth sides.
Everton FC via Getty Images
9/20 George Hirst (20) – Leicester
The England youth international joined Leicester in the summer after one season with the club’s sister side OH Leuven in Belgium and featured in this summer’s Toulon Tournament.
Getty
10/20 Ki-Jana Hoever (17) – Liverpool
The Dutch centre-back was handed his debut in the FA Cup at just 16 years old and will expect to get more first-team minutes under Jurgen Klopp, who is an outspoken admirer of Virgil van Dijk’s mentee.
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
11/20 Ian Carlo Poveda (19) – Manchester City
After spells at Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Brentford, City snapped up the England youth international, who made his debut in the League Cup win over Burton last season.
Manchester City FC via Getty Ima
12/20 Brandon Williams (18) – Manchester United
The highly touted left-back travelled with United’s Champions League squad after an impressive season with the U18s and is set to challenge Luke Shaw in years to come.
Getty
13/20 Matty Longstaff (19) – Newcastle
His older brother Sean has stolen the plaudits thus far, but his younger brother is not far behind and was included on the club’s pre-season tour of China.
PA
14/20 Stephen Mallon (20) – Sheffield United
The Irishman impressed on loan in Australia last season before appearing in the Toulon Tournament.
Getty
15/20 Adam Idah (18) – Norwich
The 18-year-old striker was awarded a new contract in the summer after scoring a goal every 170 minutes for the U23s last season before impressing for Ireland in the Toulon Tournament over the summer.
PA
16/20 Jake Vokins (19) – Southampton
The young full-back seems destined to make a push for first-team minutes and can challenge Ryan Bertrand after the Saints opted to sell Matt Targett.
Southampton FC via Getty Images
17/20 Troy Parrott (17) – Tottenham
The Irish striker starred during Spurs’ pre-season and has since returned to goalscoring form with the U23s. Mauricio Pochettino is a keen admirer and a debut is not far away.
REUTERS
18/20 Joao Pedro (17) – Watford
The Brazilian prodigy has thrilled at Fluminese and will link up with Watford’s senior squad in January once he has turned 18.
Getty
19/20 Amadou Diallo (16) – West Ham
The prodigious winger is regarded as one of England’s best prospects and has soared through the academy age groups, attracting a wealth of suitors from across Europe.
Getty
20/20 Terence Taylor (18) – Wolves
The defensive midfielder excited on the club’s pre-season tour, having been called up to Wales’ senior squad while still a 17-year-old.
Getty
“He’s one of the best players of his generation. He can dribble, he has the arrogance.
“There’s something in there that is part of the big players. You can call it arrogance, confidence, belief; but it has to be there.”
Raheem Sterling, who also shone for Gareth Southgate’s side at St. Mary’s, revealed his delight at helping his teammate score.
“He was in my room at 10.30 last night begging for me to square one for him so I was really happy to see him score his first one,” Sterling said.
“He is a good kid, even when I was at that age I wasn’t doing some of the things he is doing, he is professional, he does all of his treatment, he is in the ice bath.
“I see that he really wants to do well and he has got the ability as well, he is not just relying on his ability. He is putting in hard work in the training sessions.”
