Brede Hangeland has chosen retirement over playing for Arsenal

Brede Hangeland has snubbed Arsenal again - and has even announced he is retiring from football just to make sure he will never sign for the Gunners.

The Norwegian defender joined Fulham in 2007 but in 2009 he was heavily linked with a move to Arsene Wenger's side. Countless newspaper reports claimed Wenger wanted to sign Hangeland as a replacement for Kolo Toure, who had been sold to Manchester City. Arsenal failed to sign him that summer but the link emerged again after a couple of defensive horror shows proved just how desperate the club was for reinforcements at the back. Alas, the much talked of January move didn't happen either. Eventually he signed a new contract with Fulham. He did leave the Cottagers for another London club in 2014 but in a cruel twist it wasn't Arsenal where he pitched up, into the arms of a tearful but smiling Wenger, it was Crystal Palace. And just to twist the knife, he scored against the Gunners on his Eagles debut. No need, Brede. No need. And now, the dream is finally over for Arsene Wenger. He will now never get to watch on forlornly from the bench as Hangeland lets another rival striker slip past him to score, causing Steve Bould to wince like he is experiencing physical pain in that way he does every time the Gunners concede. It's the end of the road for Hangeland in football after he announced his retirement on Friday. "I've thought long and hard about my footballing career and I've decided its my time to end it," he told Sky Sports. "I would consider coming out of retirement for the right club, as long as it's not Arsenal," he didn't add. Arsene Wenger could not be reached for comment.