Sunday 20 December 2015 16:11, UK
Arsene Wenger has admitted he regrets not luring Raheem Sterling to Arsenal when the Manchester City winger was a teenager.
The England international began his career at Queens Park Rangers and rose through the youth ranks at Loftus Road before joining Liverpool in 2010 at the age of 16 for £600,000.
Sterling has since developed into one of the Premier League's best young talents and completed a £49m move from Liverpool to City last summer.
Wenger told Sky Sports News HQ in July he was never interested in bringing the 21-year-old to the Emirates Stadium for the forthcoming season, but has revealed ahead of Monday Night Football that he rues not signing Sterling prior to his switch to Anfield.
"We had many players on the flanks, but Sterling was at QPR - that's where we should take the players," the Arsenal manager said.
"We watched him but you miss obvious players. The history of every club is full of top players that you missed. At the time Liverpool were quicker."
Sterling has hit eight goals in 23 appearances since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, including a hat-trick in the 5-1 victory over Bournemouth in October.
He is likely to line up against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday Night Football as both teams attempt to close the gap on current Premier League leaders Leicester City.
