Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has finally explained the reasoning behind the signing of Park Chu-Young from Monaco in 2011.
The former South Korea international striker was one of several signings made in the 2011 summer transfer window, with Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Yossi Benayoun and current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta all arriving on deadline day.
Park was initially on his way to sign for Lille, failing to show up for the second part of his medical, before former Arsenal chief negotiator Dick Law hijacked the move and persuaded the centre forward to join Wenger's side.
"From what we understand he could be at Arsenal. Everything had been agreed." said Lille president Michel Seydoux.
"We haven't had a telephone call, nothing. Lille are baffled."
Wenger claimed upon signing Park that "he will add true quality to our attacking forces and will be a valuable addition to the squad."
However, Park only played seven times for Arsenal - just once in the Premier League - and had loan spells at Celta Vigo and Watford before being released by the club in June 2014.
Now 35-years-old and playing for Korean side FC Seoul, Park was labelled by many as one of Arsenal's biggest flops but Wenger has finally revealed why he believes his signing didn't live up to his expectations.
"I recruited the South Korean striker Park Chu-young because he had enjoyed a great season with Monaco and had a very good attitude," Wenger wrote in his new autobiography 'My Life in Red and White'.
"I don't think he was able to fully express his game with us. I am not questioning his talent. No doubt he lacked a bit of self-confidence.
"He never found the game that changed everything, the game where he could tell himself: 'Hey, I'm actually good enough to play here.' Perhaps I didn't give him enough chances to prove himself."
