Michael Carrick has opened up on his disappointment over a failed move to Arsenal in his new autobiography.

It was back in 2004 and Carrick was playing for West Ham, who were in need of money.

Arsenal had made contact with the Hammers and were due to complete the deal on the day after playing Manchester United in the Community Shield.

Arsene Wenger even met with Carrick in his house to discuss the deal.

“We talked for almost an hour about football,” Carrick writes.

“Wenger had the Community Shield at the weekend but was spending an hour with me, so surely he had to be interested in signing me?”

Carrick settled down to to watch the match but it soon became clear that Arsenal already possessed a fine playmaker in midfield.

Fabregas forced Arsenal to reconsider

Cesc Fabregas, then 17, starred for the Gunners as they recorded a 3-1 win.

And the Spaniard’s performance was enough to convince Arsenal that they no longer needed Carrick.

“Fabregas’s performance changed Wenger’s mind about needing me,” Carrick continued.

“I was totally devastated as I had my heart set on Arsenal and playing with all that talent.”

So, just how good was Fabregas in the match?

He received praise from both Wenger Dennis Bergkamp after his performance, which was very assured.

Fabregas played the pass that led to Gilberto Silva opening the scoring at the Millennium Stadium. It’s easy to see why Wenger decided to put his trust in the teenager.

Click HERE to watch Fabregas's highlights on YouTube if the video below doesn't work.

Things worked out pretty well for Carrick.

He ended up signing for Tottenham Hotspur in August 2004 and did enough in two seasons there to earn a move to Manchester United.

The trophies flooded in at Old Trafford.

Carrick won the Premier League five times and the FA Cup in 2016.

He was also part of the team that defeated Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final, even scoring a penalty in the shootout.

It didn't seem like it at the time, but missing out on a move to Arsenal was probably the best thing that could have happened to the midfielder.