Arsenal aren’t Bayern Munich, Manchester City, United or PSG
To sound brutally honest, Arsenal aren’t the force they once used to be. They maybe lions in the Premier League but are teddy bears on the European stage. And Messi plies his trade with Barcelona, a gigantic club, far bigger than Arsenal looking at the status quo and it’d be step down for someone who’s in his prime. Apart from the dearth of affordance, Arsenal may be massive in terms of popularity and following, but not in terms of ability. Messi would opt for clubs who’re slightly more distinguishable on the European stage- clubs like Bayern Munich or PSG.