Arsene Wenger Labels Cristiano Ronaldo His Biggest Regret and Names Best Signing

Arsene Wenger's biggest regret during his tenure with Arsenal is missing out on the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The French manager, who also outlined Cameroonian right-back Lauren as one of his best acquisitions, spoke openly during an interview with Gunners sponsors Huawei, reported by Ashley Clements for the Daily Mail.

"My biggest regret, I was so close, to signing Cristiano Ronaldo, and not only did I not get him he signed for Manchester United, so that of course still hurts today," admitted Wenger.

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Ronaldo signed for the Red Devils in 2003 and has become one of the sport's all-time greats across the proceeding decade. He helped United to nine trophies during his six-year spell at Old Trafford, including three Premier League trophies and the 2008 Champions League crown.

Similar success has arrived for Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Aside from the Spanish domestic title and Copa del Rey win, he underlined his name in sporting history by leading Madrid to La Decima. He recently netted in the Champions League final against local rivals Atletico Madrid and set an all-time record of 17 goals in a single European season, per UEFA.

Wenger has been forced to watch on in envy since the Portuguese icon moved away from Sporting Lisbon. Arsenal won their first trophy since 2004-05 with last season's FA Cup triumph, but the north London side remain winless in six matches since the opening day of the current Premier League campaign.

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The boss has littered Arsenal's history with terrific signings, as names such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas have had a profound impact on the club. Although Wenger openly confirmed he won't categorically choose the "best" of his acquisitions, he pinpointed the signing of Lauren as one of his proudest achievements.

"I think it’s the signings like Lauren who you spot when nobody else does," said Wenger, per Clements. "He was a right midfielder who I played at right-back and was one of the Invincibles."

Wenger also outlined Didier Drogba as the one player he would have rather managed than faced, saying, "he hurt us so much in big games, and so if he played for us it would not have happened."

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Such pragmatic responses are typical of a manager who strives to find value in the transfer market. Lauren, like Henry, was a player whose ability to convert to a new position significantly aided Arsenal's effectiveness. Wenger is a fan of progressing players by adapting their game, an occurrence which is likely to repeat itself when he slowly moves Calum Chambers from defence to midfield.

This approach hasn't always worked for the manager, however, as currently being demonstrated with Mesut Ozil's poor form. Wenger continues to push the traditional No. 10 out wide, a position that limits his creativity and leaves his lack of pace exposed. Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph highlights a "baffling selection mistake" that will continue to gain coverage with each repeat performance.

Arsenal desperately need a result against high-flying Aston Villa to kickstart their season. Memories of players such as Lauren are swept under the rug during a time of dwindling defensive numbers, amplified by Mathieu Debuchy's broken ankle ligament, per Luke Augustus of the Daily Mail.

While supporters will consider what could have been with Ronaldo, and reminisce about the good times of old, there's plenty of work for both the manager and squad to traverse if silverware is to arrive at the Emirates during the current campaign.