Robin van Persie has revealed that he once asked former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to sign Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in an attempt to strengthen the Gunners' defensive options.
The former Netherlands international, who scored more than 130 goals in 278 appearances for the Gunners across an eight-year spell, felt the club needed a strong defensive figure as they lacked a "winning mentality."
The 37-year-old, who sealed a move to Manchester United from the Emirates Stadium in August 2012, was adamant than that the Gunners lacked the defensive quality to compete at the top end of the pitch, prompting the Dutchman to urge Wenger to launch a move for Juventus star Chiellini.
However, no move ever came to fruition, meaning Chiellini remained in Italy.
"At a given moment I felt called upon to say what Arsenal could do better in order to win the league,” van Persie said, speaking on Kaj Gorgels' YouTube channel.
"I felt we lacked a winning mentality, and asked Arsene Wenger to sign Giorgio Chiellini.”
Though the Italian, who is still on the books of Juventus at the ripe old age of 36-year-old, has never been a defender renowned for being quick or having a pleasing-on-the-eye style, he has always been a no-nonsense centre-back, adamant for safety first and being a natural born leader.
"I have played against him a few times, and he is a genuine winner,” van Persie continued. "You could see that when he played against Holland a few weeks ago.
"He is 36 years old, but he'll dish out nine elbows every game with a smile on his face. He'll keep smiling and never get a yellow card.
"You need those types of winners and killers in your side. I felt we should get him.”
Since joining Juventus in 2005, the centre-back, who played a key role in helping Italy reach the final of the European Championships in 2012, has racked up over 500 appearances, netting 36 goals.
