How Work Permit Issues Denied Arsenal From Signing Man City Legend Yaya Toure

• The stories of players that nearly played for Arsenal during Arsene Wenger's time in the dugout of the north London club are well documented
• One such superstar that Wenger missed was 2015 AFCON winner and three-time Premier League winner Yaya Toure
• The retired Ivorian footballer trialled at Arsenal in 2003 however his dreams of playing for the Gunners were curtailed by work permit issues

Arsene Wenger's almost three-decade stint with Arsenal was characterized by unimaginable success, the transformation of football philosophies and then the 'little matter' of players who nearly joined the north London outfit.

The famous 'Zlatan does not do auditions' is one that resonates with most fans of the club who bite their lips at the opportunities missed in assembling some generational talents at the club.

Among the tall list of players who could have worn the red and white jersey of Arsenal includes former Manchester City and Ivorian midfield metronome, Yaya Toure.

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Yaya, who spearheaded Man City's Premier League dominance in the last decade, was offered the opportunity to impress Arsene Wenger in a pre-season game at the tender age of 20 back in 2003.

Kolo Toure, the elder brother of Yaya, went through a similar process a year earlier before he was signed, going on to become a pillar in the heart of defence at Arsenal.

The eventual Man City great featured in his one and only game in the colours of Arsenal during a pre-season game against Conference League side Barnet.

Although Yaya's performance was quiet, Wenger was still keen on signing the Ivorian but a potential deal was hampered by work permit issues.

He was yet to make his international debut for Ivory Coast - Yaya did not make his senior bow until 2004 and eventually return to England this time for Manchester City.

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“In England, to get the players in they need to have played 75% of national games, but Yaya never did [for Ivory Coast],” Wenger later reflected as quoted by Planet Football.

“We decided to wait for the passport application and then when he was close to applying, he moved to Ukraine [to Metalurh Donetsk] so we lost the whole chance of the deal.”

Multiple Premier League winner Yaya Toure acquires top coaching badge

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ivorian and Manchester City legend Yaya Toure has successfully acquired his UEFA A License from the prestigious Wales FA.

Toure, who had earlier disclosed his intentions of transitioning into mainstream coaching, has been studying at the Welsh institution since last year.

In a post on Twitter, sighted by Sports Brief, the four-time African Footballer of the Year could not hide his joy with his latest feat as the Ivorian shared a photo of his UEFA License A certificate.