Barton was close to Arsenal move
FOOTBALL: Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton has revealed he was close to signing for Arsenal. The midfielder claimed an incident that saw Arsenal’s Gervinho sent off scuppered a deal. Barton was criticised for going to ground too easily as the Ivory Coast forward was red-carded in the Premier League opening day 0-0 draw with Newcastle. “If I hadn’t played against Arsenal on the first day, I may have signed for them,” Barton said.