Arsene Wenger's transfer failed XI - Dimitri Payet, Joe Hart and Roberto Carlos all featuring..

Ahead of Arsenal's trip to West Ham on Saturday, Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he came close to signing Dimitri Payet before he joined the Hammers, but ultimately decided against it.

Free-kick king Payet has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season.

Payet's free kick against Manchester United in the FA Cup. 

In his press conference today, Wenger said that he had looked at Payet "many times" when the player was at St Etienne nine years ago, but felt he had enough creative players in his team at the time.

"I have watched him many times," Wenger said. "I have known him for a long, long time. When he played at St Etienne he played there for a few years and we watched him many times. He has all the attributes to be a top, top player and is that in fact.

So this is the list of players so far..

1. Joe Hart (Manchester City, England)

2. Vincent Kompany (Manchester City, Belgium)

3. Gerard Pique (FC Barcelona, Spain)

4. Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid, Brazil - retired)

5. N'Golo Kante (Leicester City, France)

6. Yaya Toure (Manchester City, Cote d'Ivoire)

7. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic ( PSG, Sweden)

9. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona, Argentina)

10. Dimitri Payet (West Ham United, France)

11. Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact, Cote d'Ivoire)

I bet if Arsene Wenger had a couple of these players, life at the Emirates would be much exciting. Better luck Arsene...