Arsenal or Bayern would have been fantastic – van der Vaart

(GSM) – Tottenham Hotspur’s Rafael van der Vaart admits he would have loved to join Arsenal had manager Arsène Wenger tried to lure him to the Emirates during the Dutchman’s nightmare spell at Real Madrid.

The Netherlands international went on to join Tottenham for £8millon in the summer and has made an impressive start for his Spurs career after scoring four goals in his opening six games for the club.

His move to White Hart Lane followed a disappointing stint at Real Madrid where he lost his place in the first-team and his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Serie A club Roma, Arsenal and Tottenham all wanted to sign the player last season but the 27-year-old wanted his wife Sylvie to continue her chemotherapy in Spain.

However, the Dutch midfielder now reflects on his move to Spurs, stating that he would have happily moved to Bayern München or Arsenal.

“I would have moved to Bayern München, but they weren’t interested,” he told the News of the World.

“Arsenal? Yes of course, that would have been fantastic.

“When Madrid sold Arjen Robben (to Bayern) and Wesley Sneijder (to Internazionale) they asked me whether I would like to stay – I would even get my No. 23 shirt back.

Van der Vaart then reflected on how professional football has its hardships, saying that football is best when one is a child.

“What I went through is part of football – but it wasn’t nice. Football is best when you’re 10 years old.”