Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangota has expressed regret at not being able to purchase Premier League giants Arsenal before they began their renaissance under Mikel Arteta.

Dangote, who is Africa’s richest man, expressed in 2020 after the completion of his refinery project but at four years later, the value of the club is now out of reach for him.

At the time, Arsenal were valued at $2 billion but after their turnaround under Arteta that has seen them come return to the Champions League and come close to winning the Premier League title in the last two seasons, their market value is now $4 billion which Dangote says he cannot afford.

Watch as Manchester City's Erling Haaland rattled a number of Arsenal's players and staff after John Stones had headed in a late equaliser in their dramatic 2-2 draw.

“I think that time has passed. The last time when we had this interview, I told you as soon as I finish with the refinery, I am going to try and buy Arsenal,” the Gunners supporter said during an interview with

“But you know everything has gone up and the club too is doing very well, Arsenal is doing extremely well right now. That time Arsenal wasn’t doing well.

“I think I don’t have that kind of excess liquidity to go and buy a club for $4 billion so to speak and use it as a promotional something.”

The billionaire, who is the president and CEO of the Dangote Group of companies, feels disappointed somewhat that he missed a golden opportunity but will continue to rally behind the Gunners nonetheless.

“But what I will do is to continually be the biggest fan of Arsenal. I watch their games anytime they are playing. So, I will remain a major supporter of Arsenal but I don’t think it makes sense today to buy Arsenal,” he went on.

“Actually, I regret not buying it before but you know my money was more needed in completing my project (Dangote refinery) than buying Arsenal. I would have bought the club for $2 billion but you know I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project. So, it was either I finish my project or go and buy Arsenal.”

Arsenal battled to a two-all draw after Leandro Trossard was sent of in the first half.

Arsenal are owned by American billionaire Stan Kroenke who had come under pressure to relinquish his stake in the club when they were struggling during the latter years of former manager Arsene Wenger and at the start of Arteta’s reign.

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