Demba Ba: 'I nearly joined Arsenal'

Besiktas striker Demba Ba has revealed that he came close to joining Arsenal during the summer.

The forward left Chelsea for the Turkish side in the close-season, and the former Newcastle United star said that he was on the verge of a switch to the Gunners before eventually moving abroad.

He told reporters: "How close did I come to joining Arsenal? As close as you and me here, but it's past. I just look forwards.

"Everybody knew that I wanted to come here [to Arsenal]. I could have maybe waited longer in this transfer window but I wanted to go and play for Besiktas because it's a great club.

"Last summer [Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho] wanted to keep me,but he said this time, if I had any opportunity, he would let me go."

Ba played for Besiktas as Arsenal beat them 1-0 in their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday.