Djibril Sidibe has explained why he snubbed an offer from Arsenal in order to head to Monaco instead in the summer transfer window.
Monaco were in pole position to snap Sidibe up from fellow Ligue 1 outfit Lille, but Arsenal made a late play to tempt the full-back to the Emirates Stadium.
Sidibe admits that Arsene Wenger's men making a play for his signature gave him pause for thought, but ultimately he reasoned he was not guaranteed to receive playing time in England, while at the Stade Louis II he would play week in, week out.
"I was really on the brink [of signing], but I had a headache [over it], especially as they came in at the last minute", the defender told French daily Le Parisien.
"Normally, you jump straight away at that occasion, but, on reflection, I was not sure my playing time was guaranteed", Sidibe added.
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So far this season the 24-year-old full-back has made ten appearances in all competitions for Monaco, scoring once, in Ligue 1.
Sidibe has turned out on five occasions for the principality outfit in the Champions League.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will rekindle their interest in Sidibe now he is at Monaco, with the full-back under contract at the Stade Louis II until the summer of 2021.
