5 Arsenal signings from 2003-2005 who are still playing outside of England

Arsene Wenger's most notable achievement for Arsenal was probably the unbeaten campaign during the 2003/2004 Premier League season. He brought Arsenal to a whole new level and amazed the world with his tactics. During those glorious days, the French manager uncovered many talents and brought them in front of the world.

It is in Wenger's style to constantly trust his foresight. Once he feels that a certain player is good and talented, he will deploy him regardless of what happens. That has allowed him to give many chances to a couple of players and awarding them with the opportunities to shine.

The 68-year-old left the club at the end of last season but he has had a lasting impact on the club's legacy and the development of many of his signings. Wenger has a keen eye for youngsters and always enjoyed giving them the luxury of time to play in the senior first team. However, many of them eventually decided to leave Arsenal to further their careers. Although a handful has successful since making the switch, many have seen their market value decrease and were unable to live up to the expectations that Wenger once had for them. Here is a look at five signings from 2003-2005 who are still active in football but away from England.

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#5 Gaël Clichy

Clichy joined the Turkish Super Lig after leaving Manchester City

The French defender spent eight years under Arsene Wenger. He first joined the Gunners in the year 2003 before leaving for Manchester City in 2011. For the early part of his career, he was used mainly as a back-up to Ashley Cole and he struggled to have much game-time.

In the 2007-2008 season, it was considered one of his best seasons as an Arsenal player. He managed to stay fit and appeared in all 38 league games. Over the span of eight years, Clichy made 264 appearances, scored two goals and created 11 assists. Thereafter, he left for rivals, The Citizens.

At the Etihad Stadium where Clichy spent six years playing, he achieved more than he did with Arsenal. He won two Premier League titles, scored three times and provided 14 assists. However, when he left for the North London club, things did not go well between the fans and him.

When Manchester City appointed Pep Guardiola as the new manager from the 2016/17 season onwards, the Spaniard told the 33-year-old honestly that he does not see a future for him at the club. The left-back ultimately left in 2017 on a free transfer to İstanbul Başakşehir on a three-year deal.

Thus far at his current club, Clichy has made 44 appearances in the Super Lig. During the period where Wenger was experiencing a crisis at the club, with many fans calling for him to be sacked, the French international got behind his former manager. He saw Wenger as the best man to guide and lead Arsenal. That has now changed as the board eventually decided to get Unai Emery as the new man to manage the boys at the club.

Although Clichy's club career has been a relative success, he hardly had the chance to shine on the international stage. He only represented France on 18 occasions. The last time he played for the national team was back in 2013 and he was left out of the 2014 World Cup squad for his country. Until today, there is no news on when he is hoping to retire. However, Clichy is still going strong playing in a less competitive league as compared to the EPL

#4 Philippe Senderos

Senderos never really earnt Wenger's recognition as a top-class centre-back

The 33-year-old defender was part of the iconic and historic team which won the Premier League title in the 2003/2004 season. Then 18-years-old, he witnessed how his side remained unbeaten throughout the whole season and he remains grateful to Wenger for bringing him to the EPL.

Senderos joined Arsenal as a teenager back in 2003 before leaving in 2010 to join Fulham. After a series of poor performances and his inability to justify his strengths, he fell out of favour. That was followed by loans to AC Milan and Everton. On both occasions, he could not establish himself as the first-choice centre back for the team. Hence, overall in his seven years at Arsenal, he played just 117 times.

Currently, the Swiss is playing in Major League Soccer for Houston Dynamo. As compared to the rest of his team-mates, he is probably the only one who has a rich club experience in Europe and diverse international experience. His contract with the American club will come to an end this year. It remains to be seen whether he will hang up his boots or continue playing.

#3 Nicklas Bendtner

Bendtner is known for having a huge ego during his time at the club

Lord Bendtner most recently made headlines for reportedly attacking a taxi driver in Copenhagen. That is not all that he is famous for. The most notable thing that Arsenal fans will remember him for is that he is a proud player but not that adept at playing football.

The 30-year-old joined Arsenal back in 2005. Standing at a height of 1.94m, he is one of the tallest forwards that the club has ever had. Throughout his nine-year career journey under Wenger, he made 171 appearances. However, the centre-forward scored only 47 goals in the process. Towards the end of his career at the Emirates, he underwent two loan spells. Both loans to Sunderland and Juventus had not been pretty much successful. In Italy, Bendtner made only nine appearances, seven of them as a substitute and did not find the net at all. Juventus chose not to make his loan move a permanent deal after an unimpressive display.

The Danish then joined Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest. He scored no more than 3 league goals at each club. Right now, he is playing for Rosenborg and he seems to have found his knack for scoring. Since 2017, the striker has found the net 32 times in 71 games.

Despite his average performance at a club level, Bendtner is highly valued by his nation. The former Arsenal man was part of Denmark's 2010 World Cup squad, UEFA Euro 2012 squad and even aided his country to qualify for this year's World Cup. He has 81 caps to his name and scored 30 times. When he is on form, he can be excellent with his passing and finishing. However, throughout the years, the forward has been poor in helping out in defensive duties. Because of his multiple subpar performances for various clubs, it is surprising to note that Bendtner is still playing. Nonetheless, it is great to see the striker getting his name on the scoresheets.

#2 Alex Song

Alex Song's career took a turn for the worse after joining Barcelona

Song was a bright star discovered by Wenger in his early days. The midfielder was a consistent player and voted by fans to be the second best player of the season in the year 2012. However, it was also during that summer when Song decided to leave for Barcelona.

The truth was the Spanish giant never gave the Cameroon international the chance to perform in his four-year stint. Unlike with the Gunners, Wenger trusted him and gave him the opportunities to play. At Barcelona, the rising midfielder was sent out on loans. Eventually, he made only 39 appearances and scored a single goal in La Liga.

Since he left North London, his football career has been in a spiral downfall but he continues to play. Back in 2012, the player made it known to the public that he wanted to stay with the Gunners. However, due to multiple delays in his contract talks, he decided to pack his bags and leave for Spain. Earlier this year, he was spotted on the Arsenal training ground. It sparked speculation that he could rejoin the Gunners on a free transfer. Just this summer, he was snapped up by FC Sion in a two-year deal and he now plays in Switzerland.

#1 Robin van Persie

van Persie is both loved and hated by fans

Arsenal fans have a love-hate relationship with this man. He enjoyed a stellar career with Arsenal from 2004 to 2012, scoring 132 goals in 280 appearances in all competitions. Everyone was head over heels in love with the striker. However, Robin van Persie let the fans down by joining arch-rivals Manchester United in 2012. His relationship with fans worsened when he celebrated his goals scored against his former club. It was certainly not a great sight for the Gunners and Wenger.

The French manager groomed the Dutch forward to be one of the best and one of the most lethal strikers in the world. However, his efforts and hard work were not repaid with gratitude when van Persie left the club. During Alexis Sanchez's transfer saga to Old Trafford, fans were reminded of the 35-year-old's move over as well. As much as the fans dislike him, it looks as if the former Red Devils' player does not really like Arsenal too.

Back in 2016 when he represented Fenerbache and made a return to Manchester, he called Old Trafford his ''home''. The news spread and Arsenal fans got the idea that van Persie did not like them either. Undoubtedly, he has contributed a lot to the North London club and even helped Wenger gain some reputation in the football society.

Currently, the striker plays in the Dutch League for Feyenoord Rotterdam. This season alone, he has made four league appearances and netted four times. van Persie does not seem to lose his ability to score regardless of where he goals. He is one of the few Arsenal players that every fan will remember no matter for good or bad reasons.