Exclusive – Clarke: Missing out on Balotelli to Liverpool will not concern Arsenal

Adrian Clarke has told talkSPORT Arsenal will not be disappointed by Mario Balotelli signing for Liverpool and that if Gunners wanted to sign the Italian, they would have done so earlier in the summer.

Arsene Wenger's side were credited with an interest in the the AC Milan striker earlier this summer but never opted to make a bid and now the 24-year-old is on the verge of joining Brendan Rodgers' side in a surprise £16million move.

But despite that, Clarke believes his former side will not be bothered by the Reds signing the former Manchester City forward.

"I don't think it's a major disappointment at all to be honest. He's a good player, he's a talent, but he's also a little bit of a liability at times. I don't think he turns it on enough," he told Kick Off.

"I firmly believe if Arsene Wenger wanted him he would have been in for him much earlier in the summer. Good luck to him at Liverpool but I don't think Arsenal will be too upset to have missed out."

Many Gooners feel the club are in desperate need of striking reinforcements to take the weigh off Olivier Giroud's shoulders, but Clarke is unconvinced Wenger will bow to public pressure and wants to strengthen his team in other areas.

"I don’t think Arsene Wenger is prioritising it. I think he’s after a defensive midfielder and a centre half. What we might see is Alexis [Sanchez] go up top. I think he can do a great job and he’ll be a perfect alternative to Olivier Giroud if he isn’t playing so well or isn’t holding the ball.

"Alexis is a kind of a Luis Suarez type striker, just floating around and looking to dart in behind. I hink that could be a real weapon for Arsenal this season."