Wenger passed on Payet over inconsistency concerns

Ahead of Arsenal's clash with West Ham on Saturday, Arsene Wenger revealed he watched Dimitri Payet during the midfielder's days with Saint-Etienne, but decided against signing the West Ham star over concerns inconsistency would prevent him from succeeding.

"He was a top talent, always, but had periods of being up and down," Wenger told reporters Thursday.

"I've looked at him many times. I've known him for a long time. He played at Saint-Etienne and we watched him many times.

"I think he has all the attributes to be a top player, which he is, but he's 29 years old already. He's matured a lot and come back into the national team, which shows he was more consistent."

Although Payet was only 24 by the time he left Saint-Etienne for Lille in 2011, it was his display at Marseille that sparked interest from around Europe before he was eventually sold to West Ham last summer.

Payet has been a revelation during his first season in England, scoring nine goals and collecting eight assists. But it's his reputation as a sharpshooter that's generated excitement every time he steps up for a free-kick around the opponent's 18-yard box.