Arsenal in Summer Transfer Window 2012: A Brief Reflection

Summer transfer window 2012 in England closed on Friday with the total spending by the premier league clubs reaching around a staggering £490m, just £10m shy of record spending of summer 2008.

Arsenal was uncharacteristically active in the market from the very beginning of the window. In fact, they sealed the first of their three signings: Lukas Podolski from FC Koln (£11 million)- even before the end of the last season.

Soon after the announcement of the signing of Podolski, manager Arsene Wenger, knowing the intention of wantaway striker Robin van Persie, looked for another striker and brought in French league’s joint top scorer Olivier Giroud from reigning champion Montpellier for a bargain price of £13 million. Then Wenger once again justified his reputation as being a transfer market specialist when he signed Santi Cazorla from cash-trapped Malaga for a cut-price fee of £16.5 million.

However, the departure of last season’s top scorer Robin van Persie to Manchester United and midfielder Alex Song to Barcelona prompted a reaction from a section of Arsenal fans. The reaction reached its peak at the end of the deadline day of transfer window as Wenger did not buy any other player. Arsenal also sold two young and unsettled players Kyle Bartley and Henri Lansbury to Swansea and Nottingham Forest respectively for a combined fee of £2 million.

Overall, Arsenal once again made profit in player transfer and could offload some of its misfits like Park Chu-Young and Nicklas Bendtner to Celta Vigo and Juventus respectively. Both the players moved away from Emirates on a season-long loan with an option inserted in their deals to make their moves permanent next summer.

However, reports in the media suggest that some Arsenal fans are discontent with Wenger for not signing a defensive midfielder. Some are even doubtful about the club’s credibility as a big club. A section of fans believe that Wenger did not even use the £50 million transfer funds that were at his disposal; let alone the millions accumulated through RVP and Song sales. In a statement, Arsenal Supporters' Trust revealed that they were ‘frustrated’ by the club’s transfer dealings.

Defending his decision of not making any late bid, manager Arsene Wenger said that he still considered his squad strong enough to be one of the contenders of the league title. He also indicated the impending return of midfield duo Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky, and defender Bacary Sagna from their respective injuries. Wenger had earlier said that he would make one or two signings if he found a top class player and stressed that there was no need for signing an average player.

I would like to quote a few words from Australian daily The Age, “ARSENAL was facing criticism from frustrated supporters yesterday as it was poised to end another summer transfer window in profit on its player trading.” I am really surprised to know that someone could be criticized for making a profit, when the whole world is just craving for more and more profits.

It is true that Arsenal drew their first two matches of the campaign and will visit Liverpool on Sunday, looking for their first goal of the season. No doubt, Van Persie’s departure has taken a heavy toll on the team, but that does not mean that he is irreplaceable. If Arsenal could survive without Henry, Bergkamp and Vieira, then they could do the same without RVP. One thing that almost everyone misses is the fact that RVP needed 6-7 years to produce a truly exceptional season. Then don’t you think, Podolski and Giroud should be given a couple of months at least?

Cazorla already looks settled in the playmaker’s role. Arteta is playing very well in the role of central midfielder, while Diaby, though looked a bit rusty in the opening two games, could make his presence felt sooner than later. Ramsey is still young and learning his trade. Now, just add Wilshere and Rosicky to the group, and Wenger will have a sweet selection problem very soon. Arsenal’s defense also looked improved and a lot more organized in the two goalless draws.

When I see the teams like Leeds United and Portsmouth, I really think that Arsenal is lucky to have someone like Wenger to deal with transfer market in a period when it built a new stadium. With the UEFA Financial Fair Play rules coming into effect in a couple of years and Arsenal boasting of some exciting talents like Serge Gnabry, Chuba Akpom, Hector bellerin and Thomas Eisfeld, the Gunners truly have a bright future ahead of them.

Top Ten Wishes for Arsenal in 2012

There are just few hours left before we enter the New Year ‘2012’ with lots of hopes and wishes in mind. Arsenal fans are also perhaps wishing and praying for a very successful 2012. The North London side may not have won any title in 2011, but there were some exciting prospects of ending their six-year trophy drought.

Wenger boys reached the final of League Cup last season, only to be defeated by Birmingham City after conceding a late goal caused by a defensive howler. They were serious title contender in the Premier League until February. However, Arsenal’s 2-1 home victory over Barcelona was perhaps the highlight of the season, even though they failed to progress beyond the last 16 in Champions League.

Here, I have made a list of top ten wishes that any Arsenal fan would love to see turn true in 2012. You can add to the wishes in the comment section.

1. Captain Robin van Persie signs a new contract in what would ensure his staying with the Gunners beyond the end of the next season when his current contract expires.

2. The Dutch forward continues his high-flying scoring form, and most importantly, stays fit throughout the year.

3. They continue their run in Championship League, by finishing in the top four in the league.

4. Arsenal wins silverware in 2012, and thus, putting an end to their six-year period without a trophy.

5. Arsenal gets out of the seemingly ‘never-ending’ injury crisis which made Emirates its favorite home over the last few seasons.

6. Wenger continues making astute signings as he has been doing for a long time.

7. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turns out to be a top class ‘surprise’ performer as was Jack Wilshere last season (2010-11).

8. After a long time, Arsenal got a pair of reliable hands under the posts in Wojciech Szczęsny. Hopefully, the Polish custodian continues his fine run of form next year too.

9. Jack Wilshere along with a group of important players including fullbacks like Andre Santos, Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson returns from injury ahead of schedule.

10. Talented young players like Ryo Miyaichi, Emmanuel Frimpong, Francis Coquelin and Ignasi Miquel get matured and start making impact in the first team.

Arsenal Unveiling Statues of Three Legends: Is Wenger Missing?

Arsenal found the right occasion to honor three of its legends when the club unveiled the statues of pioneering former manager Herbert Chapman, iconic former captain Tony Adams, and Thierry Henry, the highest goal scorer in its history, outside the Emirates Stadium on 10 December 2011 as the North London side celebrated its 125^th anniversary.

No question can be raised against the greatness of the three legends, though you may have your own different choices. One thing, however, I strongly believe is that by the time Arsenal will be celebrating their 150^th anniversary, there will, at least, be another statue. That is of Arsene Wenger, the charismatic manager currently at the helm of the club. In fact, a statue of Wenger is already missing.

If Herbert Chapman was the man who laid the foundation of the club’s early glory years, then Arsenal Wenger has built the pillar of success upon it. Chapman introduced Arsenal with the taste of glory, while Wenger presented success with entertaining football. Attacking, free-flowing football woven by small passes can best describe Wenger’s Arsenal.

Chapman presented a lot of new techniques in football which not only helped Arsenal become a dominant force in English football, but contributed to the overall development of football, to a large extent. Wenger, similarly, has set upon himself with his innovative ‘self-sustaining model’ in Arsenal, which has so far been highly successful. The Frenchman’s vision, tactics, youth policy, economic policy, shrewd signings have all been the characteristics of his time at Arsenal.

In his first 9 years at Arsenal, Wenger won 3 Premier League and 4 FA Cup titles. Since then Arsenal could not win anything so far (until 2011) and Wenger is often criticized for that. However, this six-year period did not go without achievements for Arsenal and Wenger. During this so-called ‘barren period,’ Arsenal got a new, bigger stadium, ensuring a larger profit through tickets selling, never dropped their ‘top four’ status in Premier League, and thus, playing in Champions League every year, and most importantly, recorded their best ever success in Europe when they reached the Champions League final in 2005-06 season.

Moreover, all these achievements came during a period which was badly hit by an economic recession across the world. Arsenal, however, sustained the slump pretty much successfully, without losing their class, style and winning mentality.

So, I believe, Arsene Wenger really deserves a statue of himself being unveiled at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger: Last Three Premier League Games Should Kick off at the Same Time

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has now come up with a new idea of starting the last three Premier League matches of all teams simultaneously. At the moment, only the season-ending matches kick off at the same time in Premier League.

However, Wenger thinks that competing teams sometimes get psychological advantage by knowing the result of the other matches ahead of their fixtures.

Wenger revealed to the official website of Arsenal:

I think they should make each team's last three fixtures all kick off at the same time, not just the last one. There are advantages and disadvantages to kicking off later than the other teams. If you kick off later than your rivals, and they have lost, then you are in a more comfortable situation.

Psychologically it can give you a lift, and it's true that it can apply for us or Manchester United or Chelsea, but I think it would be better not to give any team this advantage.

Well, it is true that competition in the Premier League- both for the title race as well as for other place-related achievements and avoiding relegation, is getting stiffer season after season, and competing teams for a particular achievement begin to get mental boost in the last few matches.

So, FA can give seriously give a thought to the suggestion of Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger: I would Love Dragan Stojkovic to Succeed Me

Arsene Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal club for more than 14 years now and has already become one of the best coaches in Europe. However, he cannot go on forever as he is already 61 now and has already indicated that he could retire from managerial job in the next 4-5 years. So, speculation regarding his possible successor at the Emirates has been started already and a number of names are coming out in the media.

Now, Wenger has revealed his personal choice and the man is none other than former Yugoslavian and Serbian international, Dragan Stojkovic, who was his student at the Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight. The Frenchman believes that he and Stojkovic, who is better known as Piksi, have pretty similar football philosophy which is characterized by attacking football orchestrated by many short passes.

Wenger also added that Stojkovic is a great coach and he would love Stojkovic to succeed him at Arsenal hotseat. Arsene Wenger has built an Arsenal squad that plays beautiful counter-attacking football on the field with many passes being played among the teammates.

Arsenal may not have won any title since 2005 FA Cup, but the way he kept Arsenal in the top four of Premier League consistely during a period following Arsenal’s heavy investment on their new ground Emirates Stadium proves his quality as a manager.

Wenger brought many titles at Arsenal in his initial years at the helm of the North London club, but over the last 5 or 6 years he focused more on bringing in young, raw talent at the club as he also had to cope with huge financial burden thanks to stadium loan. Overall, Wenger has modeled a sustainable financial strategy which is now being followed by many clubs across Europe.

Arsene Wenger Comes out in Support of Cesc Fabregas

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has come out to back his captain Cesc Fabregas on the issue of his reported row with referee Lee Mason at the half time of Gunners’ 2-1 Tuesday night victory over Everton in a Premier League fixture at the Emirates stadium.

After the match, Everton manager David Moyes accused Fabregas of abusing the match officials with vulgar language inside the tunnel for allowing a controversial goal and claimed the Spaniard deserved a red card for his conduct. On the other hand, Fabregas revealed his suspect if the referee was paid by Everton for allowing the goal which was a clear offside.

Now, Moyes and Fabregas have created a frenzied situation in the media with their aggressive comments. However, Wenger has come into the scene with his support for Fabregas on this regard and defended his captain by saying that many things can be said ‘in the heat of the moment’. Rather, he has reprimand his Everton counterpart for revealing what happened in the heat of the moment. The Frenchman believes that managers should not come up with these things in public.

Finally, Arsenal boss added that his captain was being targeted by opponents and this chapter was now closed to him as referees did not find any guilt in Fabregas’ behavior. Here, it is noteworthy that match referee did not include anything regarding Fabregas and his reported bad conduct in his match report. So, the Football Association is not taking any action against Fabregas on this issue.

Arsene Wenger is Right: UEFA Says

Many Arsenal supporters are unhappy with the fact that their club has failed to win anything in the last five years. While, I give them total right to be upset and feel disappointed. I always have thought that it is the right strategy in the long term. Now, UEFA has said the same thing and stated that all the clubs in Europe should follow the strategy of Arsenal about not spending too much money.

In England a bad trend is emerging which was started by Chelsea 8-9 years ago. Manchester City is spending a lot of money and following the model of Chelsea. Liverpool is also a bad financial condition. Even Manchester United is not in a healthy economic condition. Only Arsenal in England is financially sound and well off.

A lot of credit goes to Arsene Wenger who is perhaps revolutionizing the football industry in not only in England but in Europe. Many clubs in Europe follow unrealistic impractical style of spending money. What they do is that they spend millions of dollars to buy new players and give them very high level of salary but then they fall into financial stress despite winning trophies. On the other hand, under Arsene Wenger’s leadership, Arsenal has always focused on improving their financial condition.

Arsene Wenger has already emerged as the most successful coach in history of Arsenal football club. However, I think that his name in future will be stated mention more for making the club a profitable one. 

Arsene Wenger: Wojciech Szczesny may be another Peter Schmeichel

Goalkeeping has been the position that has been creating problem for Arsenal for quite some time now. It seems that Coach Arsene Wenger thinks that he has at last found a good solution and a very good goalkeeper in Wojciech Szczesny. He has been playing in the last few matches as coach Wenger has put a lot of faith on this 20-year-old goalkeeper from Poland. He has even stated that Wojciech Szczesny can become a great goalkeeper just like Denmark’s Peter Schmeichel is a legendary goalkeeper and he played for Denmark in the national team but in English Premier League, he played for Manchester United and both for his country and Manchester United club, he was one of their best goalkeepers.

Wenger said, "Can I see comparisons with Schmeichel? Yes, there is something presence-wise. I was very pleased with his debut. First of all, he had personality and presence. His kicking was questionable, but I put that down to nerves. I believe he has the presence and the personality. Overall, he made (Wayne) Rooney miss a penalty, made a crucial save from Anderson and you cannot fault him on the goal."

It is too early to say whether Wojciech Szczesny would become another Peter Schmeichel because he is just 20 years old and he is yet largely untested. However, when I watched him playing in the match against Manchester United last week, I was impressed with his performance and especially he looked very solid. Manchester United is a very good place to play an away match but this Polish goalkeeper saved a penalty and hardly did any mistake. 

Top Ten Arsenal Signings by Arsene Wenger

Current Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already become the greatest ever manager in the history of the North London club. Since his arrival in 1996, he helped Arsenal win many titles including 3 Premier League and 4 FA Cup titles. He also led the Gunners to reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2005-06 season for the first time in their history.

Besides bringing trophies to Arsenal showcase, Wenger has made many revolutionary changes at the club. He is well-known for unearthing young talents and transforming young and relatively unknown players into world class players. His ability in identifying young talents and getting the best out of them has benefited Arsenal financially too.

Here is a list of top ten signings by Wenger. While choosing the players, I not only considered their on-field contribution, but also the amount of profit Wenger made through their transfers. I regret I could not include a few other excellent players like Emmanuel Petit, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy who could have made it to the list by their own rights. You can share your opinion about the list in the comment section. Now, let us go through the list:

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry has not only been the smartest signing of Wenger era, but also is perhaps the most successful signing in the history of the North London club. Signed from Juventus for £10 in August 1999, Thierry Henry remained an integral part of Arsenal side for the next 8 years until his €24 million (£16m) move to Barcelona in Summer 2007.

Aside from the monetary profit, Henry’s signing proved to be the most significant because of his unprecedented on-field contribution to Arsenal. Henry is currently Arsenal’s all-time highest scorer with 226 goals to his credit in 380 matches in all competitions.

Upon his arrival, Wenger started to play him up front, often partnering with Dennis Bergkamp or as a lone striker, even though he was mostly used as a winger in his previous two clubs Monaco and Juventus. This change in playing position proved to be an immediate success as Henry started to perform at his best.

Henry rose from an average player to a world superstar while playing for Arsenal. His composure in front of goal, more specifically in one-on-one situation, his vision, his excellent pace helping him to get past the defenders every now and then; these all contributed to his game, making him one of the most dangerous strikers of his time.

He got his first success when Arsenal won their third ever domestic Double (second under Wenger) of Premier League and FA Cup in 2001-02, first of Henry’s four seasons where he finished at the top of the goal scorers’ list. His 24 goals in 33 league appearances helped Arsenal to score in each and every fixture of that season.

The Frenchman was also instrumental in Arsenal’s triumph in 2003-04 season where they did not lose any game with Henry again finishing as the leading scorer with 30 goals and went 49 league games unbeaten.

Overall, Henry won two Premier League, 3 FA Cup and 2 FA Community Shield titles during his Arsenal career. Besides, he also won many individual successes including 2 European Golden Boot and 4 Premier League Golden Boot awards. He was also named PFA Team of the Year in 6 consecutive seasons and UEFA Team of the Year 4 times.

Patrick Vieira

The Frenchman is regarded as one of the all-time Arsenal greats because of his immense contribution to the Gunners during the first decade of Arsene Wenger’s managerial reign. Upon Wenger’s request, Patrick Vieira, who had been struggling at AC Milan, was signed by Arsenal for a fee of £3.5 million, even before the manager officially took charge of the club in September 1996.

Wenger’s first investment in charge of Arsenal proved to be bargain as Vieira’s commanding presence in the central midfield helped Arsenal to win two domestic Doubles in the next 9 years. Moreover, Wenger made a substantial financial profit through the selling of Vieira to Juventus in 2005.

Vieira (right) with Tony Adams (left)

A player with strong physique and excellent stamina, Vieira formed a lethal partnership with Emmanuel Petit at the heart of Arsenal midfield, and earned Arsenal their second ever Domestic Double in 1998. Though Petit left for Barcelona in Summer 2000, his French compatriot continued to serve for Arsenal until the end of 2004-05 season, and winning one more domestic Double in the process.

In total, Patrick Vieira played 406 games for Arsenal, scoring 33 goals, and won 3 Premier League, 3 FA Cup and 4 Community Shield titles during his 9-year stint at Arsenal. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year in six successive years- an achievement portraying his dominance as an Arsenal player. In 2008, Vieira was ranked 5th in the list of greatest 50 players of Arsenal by Arsenal fans.

Robert Pires

Robert Pires is another highly successful midfielder signed in Wenger era. By the time Robert Pires joined Arsenal from Olympique Marseille for a transfer fee of £6 million in summer 2000, Arsene Wenger had already won his first Double with the Gunners in 1997-98 season. However, following the sudden departure of some of his key players including Emmanuel Petit, Nicolas Anelka and Marc Overmars, Wenger felt the necessity of rebuilding his team going into the new millennium.

Robert Pires was one of Wenger’s key players in his rebuilding process and ended up becoming one of the most decorated players in the history of Arsenal, winning 2 Premier League, 3 FA Cup and 2 Community Shield titles during his six-year stay at the club. The winger initially struggled to deal with the physical aspect of Premier League, but he started to show his talent from the second season onwards.

A tall and speedy winger, Pires is equally skilled in playmaking and scoring. His technical skill, vision and excellent finishing often proved to be decisive for Arsenal. He may not have scored as many goals as Henry did, but Gunners fans would always remember him for some of his stunning goals.

Pires was instrumental in Arsenal’s Double (Premier League and FA Cup) in 2001-02 season as he made highest number of assists in Premier League that season and scored 9 goals in the league. Eventually, he was named the FWA Footballer of the Year and became Arsenal’s player of the year that season.

In 2003, Arsenal won just one title- the FA Cup- and that so not without Pires’ contribution as the Frenchman scored the winning goal against Southampton in the tournament final. He played another crucial role during Arsenal’s unbeaten triumph in 2003-04 Premier League season where Pires along with his French compatriot Henry scored 44 out of Arsenal’s 73 total league goals.

Wenger could not make any monetary profit through Pires’ transfer to Villarreal in 2006 as he moved to the Spanish club on a free transfer, but his contribution as a player was more than enough to consider him as one of the best signings by Wenger. Robert Pires scored 84 goals and made many assists in his 284 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions and he made it to the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions.

Cesc Fabregas

Signed from Barcelona youth academy as a 16-year-old boy in summer 2003, Cesc Fabregas has gradually grown into one of the best midfielders in the world. Specially, since Arsenal’s move from Highbury to the newly built Emirates Stadium in 2006, Fabregas has been a dominant force for the North London club till date.

Given his current market price around £40 to £50 million, the Spaniard could well be Wenger’s most successful signing in terms of financial profit. In fact, Barcelona had a €35 million offer for the player rejected by Arsenal during Summer 2010. However, his current market price is well-justified by his superb on-field performances over the last four seasons.

Cesc Fabregas may not have won as many titles at Arsenal as some other players of this list did, but the Spaniard’s influence in Arsenal’s performance over the last few years was so immense that he could already be considered as an Arsenal legend. As of 16 October 2010, Fabregas has scored 51 goals and made 88 assists in 272 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions. Despite his consistent display, he could so far win only 2 titles- FA Cup and League Cup in 2005.

The main reason behind his lack of silverware is that by the time Fabregas started to become a dominant force, the club had already entered into a transitional period. When Patrick Vieira left Arsenal in 2005, Fabregas, an 18-year-old, was tipped to take his place and he has gradually done so; but the Gunners then lost a few more key players including Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell, Thierry Henry and Fredrik Ljungberg in the next two years (2006 and 2008), and thus, forcing manager Arsene Wenger to rely mostly on young players as the club, facing a high annual interest rate related to stadium debt, could not arrange a huge transfer budget to rebuild the team.

Despite these shortcomings, Arsenal has remained one of the top European clubs as well as a title contender in Premier League, and continued to appear in Champions League group stage mainly because of Fabregas’ dominant form. He was named PFA Team of the Year in 2008 and 2010, alongside making it to the UEFA Team of the Year on two occasions (2006 and 2008) too.

Initially criticized for his less-attacking intention, Fabregas has over the years proved to be one of the best playmakers in the world as he started to become one of the top assist makers in Premier League from 2006-07 season onwards. His excellent vision, superb passing skill, tremendous sense of timing and finding space have all completed to Arsenal’s attacking style orchestrated by short-passing football.

Sol Campbell

Having spent nine successful seasons at Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Sol Campbell joined the Gunners in the summer 2001, and thus, becoming the first high-profile transfer as per Bosman ruling. At that time, the England international was at the top of his career and took no time to make his presence felt at his new club.

Sol Campbell joined Arsenal to win silverware and participate in Champions League, while Wenger signed Campbell looking to add major reinforcement at the central defense as the ageing duo, Tony Adams and Martin Keown, were approaching towards the end of their Arsenal career. Campbell’s transfer, later on, proved to be a win-win deal for both the manager and the player because they got what they were looking for- silverware and Champions League football for Campbell, and a reliable central defender for Wenger.

Campbell’s strong physique, superb athleticism, quick movement, calm and composed nature on the field, these all along with his vast experience helped him settle down in his new challenge at Highbury pretty quickly. He became a regular player right from the beginning of his Arsenal career. In his debut season (2001-02), Campbell, being the mainstay of the defense, helped Arsenal to win a prestigious Double of Premier League and FA Cup, playing total 48 games that season.

The next season (2002-03) looked to be equally fruitful as Arsenal was on the right track to defend both the titles. Though they clinched the FA Cup, the Gunners ended up finishing second in Premier League mainly because of Campbell’s injury and a sudden loss of form towards the end of the season. However, Campbell’s performance was strong enough to earn him a place in the PFA Team of the Year.

The season 2003-04 was another highly successful campaign for the English defender who along with young Kolo Toure formed a solid partnership at the back of the defense and ensured Arsenal’s unbeaten triumph in the league. Campbell once again was named in the PFA Team of the Year.

Campbell’s last season of his first spell with Arsenal was not as successful as the previous three because he was struggling with injuries and lack of form, but still the player remained an integral part of the North London side until his departure for Portsmouth in 2006. He scored Arsenal’s solitary goal in their 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League final in 2006.

Campbell made a comeback to Arsenal in January 2010 after signing on a six-month contract and made some good contribution when first choice center backs like William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen were injured out during the last few months of the 2009-2010 season. After the end of the season, Wenger offered him a one-year contract extension, but he demanded a two-year deal and eventually joined Newcastle United.

In his first stint with the Gunners, Sol Campbell played 197 games and scored 11 goals in all competitions. He appeared in 14 games and scored just once during his short second term at Arsenal.

Marc Overmars

The Dutch left winger was one of the three major signings by Arsene Wenger in 1997 besides Emmanuel Petit and Nicolas Anelka. By the time he was signed from Ajax for a transfer fee of £5.5 million in summer 1997, Marc Overmars had already proven his talent and skill as a flying winger while playing for Ajax with whom he won Champions League in 1995 and three Dutch league titles. Still, there were many who were doubtful about the success of Overmars’ signing, citing the player’s recent knee injury which kept him out of Euro 1996.

However, Overmars quickly justified Wenger’s decision by his on-field performances. The Dutchman, like Wenger’s other signings: Vieira, Petit and Anelka, started to dominate English football and helped Arsenal win their second ever Double (first under Wenger) in 1997-98 season. With his remarkable pace, he appeared as a constant threat for the opponent fullbacks. Though he was deployed on the left wing most of the time, Overmars is equally strong on both feet.

During his 3-year stint with the Gunners, Overmars scored many crucial goals which proved to be title deciding goals in the end. He scored 12 vital goals in his 32 league appearances during Arsenal’s Double winning 1997-98 season. His winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford and his dominating performance in their victory against Everton ensured Arsenal’s Premier League title. Overmars then helped Arsenal to win the FA Cup titles too as he scored the first goal of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the final.

Overmars’ final two seasons with Arsenal was hampered by injuries, but still he remained one of the key players for Arsenal until his departure for Barcelona in summer 2000 for a transfer fee of £25 million which is still a record transfer fee for a Dutch player. Overall, Marc Overmars scored 41 goals in 142 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions.

Fredrik Ljungberg

The Swedish winger is another astute signing of Wenger era. Arsenal manager had to compete with the European clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Parma to secure the service of Fredrik Ljungberg, who was then playing for Halmstad. Wenger finally had to spend £3 million to complete Ljungberg’s signing in 1998. This was a record transfer fee for a Swedish player at that time.

Wenger could not make any monetary profit through Fredrik Ljungberg who left the Gunners to join West Ham United for a fee around £3 million in summer 2007. However, the success of Ljungberg’s signing could only be found in his excellent contribution to the club’s success during his 9-year stint with the North London side.

A player capable of playing in either wing or as a playmaker, Ljungberg is well-known for his great pace which helps him get past the full backs and set up goals for the center forwards. Arsenal started to get the best of Ljungberg after Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars had left the club in summer 2000. Soon after their departure, he became an integral part of Arsenal attack which also featured Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires.

Injury was a constant threat for Ljungberg throughout his Arsenal career and it only became severe towards the later years of his Arsenal stint. Still, he could successfully prove his talent and skill, scoring 72 goals and making many assists in his 328 appearances for Arsenal.

The highlight of his Arsenal career is his decisive performances during Arsenal’s Double winning 2001-02 season. During the second half of the season, when Robert Pires was out of action through injury, Ljungberg scored 6 goals in 5 league matches, and thus, earning Arsenal some vital points towards the end of the season.

Fredrik Ljungberg later on also played a crucial role in Arsenal’s FA Cup success that season, scoring in their 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the final. He had scored in the previous year’s FA Cup final too, though that was in losing cause, and became the first ever player to score in consecutive FA Cup finals. Fredrik Ljungberg also played a key role in Arsenal’s unbeaten success in Premier League 2003-04.

Kolo Toure

Arsene Wenger’s ability in identifying unearthed talent is perhaps best proven by the signing of Kolo Toure from ASEC Mimosas, a club in Ivory Coast, for just £150,000 in February 2002. Not many people outside Ivory Coast knew Kolo Toure when he joined the North London club, but the player went on to become one of the best central defenders of Premier League in the following years and earned Wenger around £16 million through his move to Manchester City in summer 2009.

So, Kolo Toure has undoubtedly become a success story for Wenger, both in terms of financial profit and the player’s on-field contribution to the club. During his seven-year stay at the club, he appeared in 326 matches for Arsenal in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and making 12 assists in the process. He won a Premier League, two FA Cup and two Community Shield titles with the Gunners. Toure, though a defender, was well-known for his attacking intent and scoring goals occasionally and assisting others.

Initially experimented as a midfielder and right back by Wenger, Kolo Toure started to settle into the Arsenal defense as a central defender from the 2003-04 season onwards. His rock-solid partnership with Sol Campbell at the heart of the defense was instrumental behind Arsenal’s Premier League win without losing any game throughout the season. He appeared in 37 league matches that season.

Next season, he faced a stiff competition from the likes of Phillipe Senderos and Pascal Cygan for a place in the first eleven, but still he managed 50 appearances in all competitions and won the FA Cup title that season. However, it was in 2005-06 season, Kolo Toure made himself an Arsenal regular and remained so until his departure in 2009.

Aside from his strong performance in 2003-04 Premier League win, another highlight of Kolo Toure’s Arsenal career is his performance during the UEFA Champions League 2005-06 campaign where he partnering with Phillipe Senderos kept a record 10 successive clean sheets and helped Arsenal to reach the tournament final for the first time, though they lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the final in Paris.

Kolo Toure’s excellent consistency could be well-proven by the fact that he did never play less than 40 games in any of his 7 seasons with Arsenal.

Nicolas Anelka

When Arsene Wenger signed a 17-year-old boy, Nicolas Anelka, from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £500,000 (0.5 million) in February 1997, little did he know that the French striker would help his side to win a prestigious Double of Premier League and FA Cup in 1998, and his transfer to Real Madrid in summer 1999 would earn the club a huge £23.5 million (but some say £22, 900, 000), making Anelka one of the most astute signings by Arsene Wenger.

A tall, strong-built striker, Anelka started to flourish his potential as a goalscorer upon joining Arsenal where he developed into a world class striker. Though he struggled to break into the first team during the second half of 1996-97 season, Anelka started to show his goalscoring prowess from 1997-98 season, his first full season with the Gunners.

Striker Ian Wright’s long term injury allowed Anelka to play alongside Dennis Bergkamp, another Arsenal great, in Arsenal’s attacking line up. During that Double winning season, Anelka scored 6 goals in 26 league appearances. He also scored Arsenal’s second goal in their 2-0 FA Cup final victory over Newcastle United. The next season (1998-1999) saw him scoring 17 goals in 35 league appearances, for which he was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year Award.

Nicolas Anelka’s excellent pace and superb shooting skill have always given him an edge in the opponent box throughout his career, but it was at Arsenal where he started to make his lethal presence felt by the opponent defenders inside the area. After scoring 28 goals in 90 appearances during his two-and-half-year stint with the North London club, Anelka left for Real Madrid in 1999, ending his short but highly significant Arsenal career. Arsenal fans, in 2008, placed him in 29th position in a list of 50 greatest players of Arsenal.

Gilberto Silva

Despite coming from a poor family, the Brazilian midfielder made his name in the football world with strong determination and working hard mentality. Having been impressed by Gilberto Silva’s dominating performance as a defensive midfielder during Brazil’s successful World Cup campaign in 2002, Wenger invested £4.5 million to sign him from Atlético Mineiro the same year.

The investment proved to a bargain as Gilberto Silva went on to win a Premier League, 2 FA Cup and 2 Community Shield titles at Arsenal in the next 6 years before joining Greek club Panathinaikos in 2008. Though his footballing tablet was well documented even before joining Arsenal, it was at the North London club where he developed into one of the best holding midfielders in the World.

Gilberto Silva found it hard to break into the Arsenal first eleven in his debut season, but he was instrumental in Arsenal’s historic triumph in Premier League 2003-04 as they won the title without losing any game throughout the season. Silva appeared in 32 out of 38 league matches that season, playing alongside either Ray Parlour or Patrick Vieira in the midfield.

Silva’s strong defending skill complimented very well to Arsenal’s attacking style. During his six-year stint with Arsenal, he covered for the attacking minded wingbacks like Clichy and Sagna and center backs like Gallas and Kolo Toure.

Robert Pires Training with Arsenal

Former France international Robert Pires is now in North London and has been training at his former club Arsenal. The 36-year-old winger is currently a free agent as his contract with Valencia expired this summer.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has found some good words for his former student when asked about his current condition. He revealed to the French daily Le Parisien, “He is sparkling. He’s happy on the ball and physically he is fine. He can be of service in Ligue 1 (the French top division).”

Pires has been working out with the Arsenal players for a week now and would stay on for another week to get himself fit for the next challenge. However, Wenger has not indicated any possibility of handing Pires a short-term contract as he did to Sol Campbell last January.

Robert Pires has already become an Arsenal legend for his contribution to the club’s success during his 6-year stint with the Gunners. He won 2 Premier League, 3 FA Cup and 2 Community Shield titles with Arsenal before leaving the North London side in 2006 to join Valencia. He was a key member of the invincible Arsenal squad of 2004 and part of Arsenal’s last silverware winning team that won FA Cup in 2005.