Jeremy Monga believes it was a “no-brainer” to join Manchester City as he explained his reason for snubbing Arsenal.
Monga was seeking a move away from Leicester City this summer after the Foxes were relegated to League One.
The 17-year-old is the third-youngest player to appear in a Premier League match, and drew interest from some of the top clubs in the country.
Monga looked set to join Premier League champions Arsenal, though he made a late switch to City, who are coached by former Leicester boss Enzo Maresca.
The teenager revealed he was close to joining the Gunners, but felt City offered a better pathway to the first team.
“It [Arsenal interest] was very strong because it was very close to me going there, very close,” Monga told BBC Sport.
“The main decision was probably the pathway and the club itself. They’ve been so successful that it was a no-brainer when City called. It’s every child’s dream to win trophies and be at the top with the best.
“Once I get the opportunity, I just need to show myself, and once I do that, everything will take care of itself. I feel like, to me personally, I see myself at City more. I see myself in blue.”
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2026
Monga made his first appearance for City off the bench against the K-League Stars on Wednesday.
The forward hopes to make a strong impact in Manchester, though his footballing idol is Chelsea legend Eden Hazard.
When asked what he likes about Hazard’s game, Monga said: “Definitely his directness, him taking the game by the scruff of his neck, trying to win the game by himself, and definitely the way he manipulates the ball, trying to implement that into my game.
“Even the way he protects the ball from his opponents and moves around the pitch, everything is what I want to do.”
