Emi Buendia has spoken about how close he was to joining Arsenal instead of Aston Villa
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Sport
13:34, 20 Jun 2025
Aston Villa's Emi Buendia
Future plans... Villa's Emi Buendia(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Emi Buendía has revealed he came close to joining Arsenal before signing for Aston Villa as he wanted to be a key player in the club’s project.
The playmaker, now aged 28, signed for Villa in what was then a club-record transfer in the summer of 2021.
Buendía joined Villa as one of three players brought in to replace Jack Grealish, who left the club for £100m to join Manchester City.
Leon Bailey and Danny Ings were also recruited as Villa spent around £90m to replace their former skipper.
Buendía’s Villa career could come to an end this summer after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen.
He had missed the entire 2023/24 campaign due to a devastating ACL injury sustained in training.
Buendía made 14 appearances for Leverkusen last term, but the Bundesliga club did not take up their option to sign the Argentine permanently for around £17m.
Speaking to Talk Norwich City, Buendía was asked just how close he came to joining Arsenal before eventually signing for Villa four years ago.
“I was close,” he admitted. “It was there, but in these things I like to be involved but not completely, as I like my space.
“I think the reason why I chose Aston Villa was to feel like an important player in an important project.
“The club today shows what they were planning even before they signed me. For me, it was a crucial moment in my career.
“During my time at the club, until we found Unai Emery, they tried with other coaches and the results didn’t come.
“The club believed it could achieve Europe, and Aston Villa is now showing their level.”
He added: “I really loved the whole time. I felt good and part of the team.
“I had moments when I played more or less, but this is football. I remember the times I didn’t play enough, but coming off the bench, I was having a good impact in the games.
“When Unai Emery came to the club, we understood each other, and I was probably having my best time at the club then.
“I enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot because he is a top coach. Then in pre-season, a few days before the league started, probably the worst injury arises.”
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