Liverpool Champions League winner Xabi Alonso wanted to quit for Arsenal, claims Cesc Fabregas.

According to Alonso's former Spain team-mate, Fabregas, before the midfielder joined Real Madrid he was 'begging' to join the Gunners.

Speaking to Arsecast, Monaco midfielder Fabregas recalled: "I was on the phone with Xabi the whole summer, he was dying to come, he was literally begging everyone to go to Arsenal.

"He really wanted to come, I did my best - I spoke to who I had to speak, I gave my opinion, I thought that he was a fantastic addition for us at that time.

"A couple of times like that I was frustrated at the lack of push, that it's so close - the player is dying to come, it's so easy to make this deal.

"I'm not a director, I see it from a player's point of view. When I see it as a player wants to go somewhere it's easy, normally it should happen and Xabi Alonso was one of them.

"I remember I was talking to him the whole holiday, he was texting me saying 'What's happening?', it was a shame because I think he would have been a great addition to that team. He was made for Arsenal I think."