With Wenger’s career at Arsenal coming to a close, we’re taking a look at some of the top player signings he accomplished during his time at the famous North London club.
PATRICK VIEIRA | From AC Milan for £3.5m | 1996
.jpg.aspx "PATRICK-VIEIRA-(1).jpg")
During his nine year stay at Arsenal, Patrick Vieira won three Premier League trophies and four FA Cup titles. He captained the club through the memorable 49-game unbeaten season and made over 400 appearances for the Gunners.
He initially joined Arsenal for a fee of £3.5m from AC Milan and became a dominant display at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
NICOLAS ANELKA | From PSG for £500,000 | 1997
.jpg.aspx "NICOLAS-ANELKA-(1).jpg")
Image Source: goal.com
Anelka got his start in the Arsenal first team as a teenager after Ian Wright suffered an unfortunate injury. Despite this bad luck, Anelka proved key in the Gunners’ double win in 1997-1998.
He won the PFA Young Player of the Year Award in his second season as an Arsenal player. Despite 90 appearances, Arsenal fans eventually turned on Anelka amid rumors of a proposed transfer to Europe. He eventually left and joined Real Madrid for £22.3 million.
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG | From Halmstads BK for £3m | 1998
Image Source: tribuna.com
Nothing allays doubts and fears quite like scoring seconds into your debut, which is exactly what Ljungberg did against Manchester United. The Swede secured a prime spot in the Arsenal lineup and was renowned for his link-up play with Dennis Bergkamp. Ljungberg contributed to Arsenal’s double-winning season of 2002 with 17 goals in all competitions and he on the Premier League Player of the Season Award for his dominance on the right side of the field.
THIERRY HENRY | From Juventus for £10.5m | 1999
Image Source: ibtimes.co.uk
Arguably the greatest player to don the Arsenal jersey, Thierry Henry’s 228 club goals has turned him into a legend where he’s often still spoken about today. He arrived at the club in 1999 and spent 8 years at Arsenal, enjoying their famous unbeaten season, and only left the club for Barcelona after winning three league titles, three FA Cups, Four Golden Boots and five Player of the Year Awards.
SOL CAMPBELL | Free transfer | 2001
Image Source: nonleague.pitchero.com
In one of the EPL’s most surprising moves, Sol Campbell allowed his Tottenham contract to expire before joining Arsenal in the summer of 2001.Campbell was intent on playing Champions League football and his decision to join Wenger’s side was the right one. He enjoyed an unbeaten season at Arsenal during 03-04, but his goal in the 2006 Champions League final will never be forgotten either.
KOLO TOURE | From ASEC Mimosas for £150,000 | 2002
Image Source: lebuzz.eurosport.co.uk
Kolo Toure became a favourite of Arsene Wenger due to his versatility at the back, able to plat at right-back, defensive midfield or centre-back with ease. He was part of the invincible Arsenal side of 2003-04 and his partnership with Sol Campbell saw them keep 15 clean sheets during that season.
A disagreement with William Gallas saw Toure's spell at Arsenal come to an end when he left for Manchester City in the summer of 2009. Toure made history as a ‘double invincible’ last season, becoming the only player to win the English and Scottish titles without losing after Celtic’s historic unbeaten campaign.
CESC FABREGAS | From Barcelona for €1m | 2003
Image Source: eurosport.com
Fabregas was Arsenal’s youngest ever first team player when he joined during a League Cup tie at home in Rotherham, October 2003. He then went on to become one of the best central midfielders in European football.
Wenger is quoted to have said, “ Cesc Fabregas typifies what Arsenal is today. It’s a mixture of boys who grew up here and boys who join at the age of 16 from abroad and we develop them as players.” After eight years at Arsenal, Fabregas took a salary cut to join his boyhood club Barcelona in 2011 with the transfer fee totaling almost £35m.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY | From Lorient for £10m | 2010
Image Source: premierleague.com
Koscielny’s move to Arsenal was the subject of much doubt. There were concerns that the French footballer wouldn’t be able to handle the intense competition in the EPL. Despite a difficult start at the club, he went on to become one of the best centre backs in world football. His reading of the game is superb and his aerial ability and dominant defensive performances make him one of the best defensive club signings for Arsenal.
MESUT OZIL | From Real Madrid for £42.5m | 2013
Image Source: skysports.com
By 2013 Arsenal had gone eight years without winning a single trophy or title and many believed that their star was fading in English football. Those naysaying fans soon had to bite their tongues as Arsenal broke their transfer record to sign Mesut Ozil, a European superstar, making it plain to everyone that they were ready to challenge. One of the classiest and most technically astute players in the EPL, the World Cup winner will be remembered as an icon in North London.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ | From Barcelona for £35m | 2014
Image Source: dailypost.ng
Sanchez arrival at the North London club was a sign that Wenger still had enough sway to be able to convince any superstar to join the Gunners. Despite many clubs looking to sign the Chilean superstar after a stunning World Cup performance, Arsenal became his new home. Scoring 60 goals in 122 league appearances for Arsenal, he helped the club attain two FA Cup titles during his time there.
Having managed some of the biggest names in European football, winning a number of titles and holding some impressive records, we are all eagerly awaiting news on the future of Arsene Wenger, whether it be in the English Premier League or internationally. Regardless, even without him, Arsenal are a top club and a top choice to bet on in all forms of football.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions, follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube. Download the Betway App.