Yaya considered joining Arsenal

The Ivorian wants his brother Kolo to leave Arsenal and join him at Barcelona.

Yaya was linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium last summer as manager Arsene Wenger were keen on signing the midfielder.

He told sport-ivoire: “There was a time when my objectives were to join Arsenal Football Club, however now I want to progress at Barcelona.

“Barcelona are the best team and the manager now trusts me 100 per cent.”

He continued on his brother: “Kolo had a tough season, it was at certain times complicated for him. But he is a very intelligent guy and he prefers to face problems instead of running from them.

“We have the same fighting spirit. My brother would fit well in Barcelona, he is a quality defender. Maybe one day we will play in the same team, who knows?”