Arteta: It's a pity Arsenal didn't sign tremendous Suarez

The Liverpool forward, a transfer target for the
Gunners over the summer, has returned from
suspension in blistering form and the Spaniard
has sympathy for his situation
Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta admits it is "a
pity" for his side that Liverpool striker Luis
Suarez did not move to the Emirates Stadium
last summer.
The Uruguayan was the subject of repeated
bids from the Gunners but the Reds blocked
the move and he has since scored six goals in
five games, with Arsene Wenger's men his next
opponents.
And Spaniard Arteta has expressed his regret
that Arsenal could not land Suarez's signature,
suggesting that he is a "really good lad" deep
down.
"It's a pity Arsenal could not get Suarez,"
Arteta told The Sun. "People don't know the
real Luis.
"He's a really good lad. I know Suarez really
well. He used to live in the next house to me
and, whenever I've met him, he's always been
really nice.
Arteta also praised the "character" shown by
the Liverpool forward to return with such
devastating effect after his lengthy suspension.
"He is a tremendous player and he has shown
a lot of character to get back after getting
criticised and on the front pages a lot," Arteta
told the Daily Mirror . "He has gone on to
produce some great performances and his
goalscoring record is amazing.
"It was very difficult for him because he had a
lot of people against him and he was under
massive pressure.
Source: Goal