Julian Draxler Arsenal regret has become the latest reminder of Arsene Wenger’s near misses in the transfer market. The German midfielder, now 32 and playing for Al Ahli after a £17m move from PSG in 2023, has revealed that he looks back on the opportunity to join Arsenal from Schalke as one of his biggest “what if” moments.
Speaking to SportBild, Draxler explained: “When I was still very young at Schalke and extended my contract, I could have gone to Arsenal. Honestly, I’d be interested to see what would have become of me if I had learned from Arsene Wenger so early.”
It was in May 2013 that Schalke persuaded the youngster to extend his deal amid interest from Europe’s elite, with Arsenal among those who made a concrete approach. Instead, Draxler stayed in the Bundesliga before moving to Wolfsburg in 2015, then to PSG in 2017, where his progress was slowed by fierce competition for places.
What Wenger said about Julian Draxler
Arsene Wenger never hid his admiration for the midfielder. Ahead of UEFA Euro 2016, he admitted: “It will be very interesting to follow what Draxler does, from Germany, he is still a very young player.”
“The Draxler situation has been created by the newspapers, not by me. You ask me, what is that situation? I say nothing is happening on that front. He will stay at Schalke.” — Arsene Wenger, January 2014
Despite the denials, Wenger clearly admired Draxler’s talent and monitored him closely. Arsenal ultimately signed Mesut Özil from Real Madrid in September 2013 instead, a deal that reshaped the Gunners’ midfield for years to come.
Draxler’s career path after Schalke
Draxler enjoyed bright spells at Schalke and Wolfsburg, but his Paris Saint-Germain career saw him overshadowed by superstar signings such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Ángel Di María. Although he collected silverware in France, his playing time dwindled, and by 2023 he had departed for Qatar’s Al Ahli in search of regular football.
That journey leaves him questioning what might have happened had he joined Arsenal in 2013. Learning under Wenger at such a formative stage could have offered him the platform to develop into one of the Premier League’s top attacking midfielders.
Analyst verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William observed: “Draxler’s reflection mirrors what many Arsenal fans have long thought – that Wenger’s ability to nurture young attacking players could have unlocked his full potential. At Schalke, he looked destined for the very top, but the timing of his PSG move stalled his career. Arsenal might have been the perfect bridge to elite consistency.”
He added: “This is another example of how near-misses under Wenger have become part of Arsenal folklore. From Zlatan Ibrahimović to Yaya Touré, there is a long list of ‘what ifs’. Draxler’s admission just adds another name to that legacy.”
Key insights
- Julian Draxler says he regrets turning down Arsenal while at Schalke.
- The German extended his contract in 2013 despite Wenger’s interest.
- He later joined Wolfsburg (2015) and PSG (2017) before Al Ahli (2023).
- Wenger admitted he was following Draxler closely around Euro 2016.
- Arsenal instead signed Mesut Özil in September 2013.
What’s next for Draxler and Arsenal?
At 32, Draxler’s career is winding down in Qatar, but his honesty about missed opportunities highlights the enduring pull of Arsenal and Wenger’s legacy. For Arsenal, the reflections underscore just how many world-class players they nearly signed during Wenger’s 22-year reign.
The club’s modern recruitment under Mikel Arteta is far more streamlined, but Draxler’s story is a reminder of how fine the margins in football can be. Had he chosen north London, his career trajectory might have looked very different.
👉 Would Julian Draxler have fulfilled his potential under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal?
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