Arsenal manager Unai Emery has revealed he wanted to sign Fabinho upon arriving at the Emirates last summer.
The former PSG boss replaced Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager in 2018, the same summer Fabinho signed for Liverpool following their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev.
Emery has since splashed £72m on forward Nicolas Pepe from Lille as well as raiding Real Madrid for Dani Ceballos on a one-year loan.
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Both Pepe and Ceballos were linked with Liverpool and Emery is hoping the duo can improve in a similar manner to Fabinho, who initially struggled after his move from Monaco.
"We spend money with Pepe," the Arsenal manager explained. "Pepe needs time to adapt to the Premier League.
"For example, in France I love a lot Fabinho. He was in Monaco and I wanted to sign for PSG.
"When I arrived here, also his name was on the table to achieve to sign him, but he signed for Liverpool.
"The first six months he didn't play, it was adaptation. But now he is amazing and I want the same with Ceballos, with Pepe.
"We need patience, but Pepe is improving, but on Monday, the key to win was with him. If he scores the first goal, it's different.
"But it's one process and I believe in him and I know we need time and patience. The supporters have patience, some more than others.
"But I know we are convinced. We are going to fight to convince them and tomorrow to show another 90 minutes at the Emirates and then on Sunday."
