Arsenal Preferred Destination If Things Dont Work Out At Real
Monday, October 18, 2004

Arsenal is David Beckham's favoured destination if he is forced to leave Real Madrid.

The Sun says Becks, 29, was on the verge of joining Arsenal in the summer after Gunners boss Arsene Wenger assured him: "I want you."

Wenger offered the midfield star an escape route back to the Premiership at the height of his problems last season.

Becks visited Highbury to make a cameo appearance in Martin Keown's testimonial and had a heart-to-heart with the French boss.

The England skipper feared Real were preparing to sell him to Chelsea. But Wenger insisted he would make a move for Beckham as well.

Becks confessed this season his huge admiration for Wenger and his Gunners, who are bidding to extend their unbeaten league run to 50 at Old Trafford this weekend.

Beckham said: "Arsenal are a great team and have an amazing manager - one of the best.

"I have met him a few times and spoken to him on occasions like when I played in Martin Keown's testimonial.

"He is calm but you can tell the players respect him immensely because of what they say about him and how they play for him."

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