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Arsene Wenger announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the season. We take a look at five of his greatest signings at Arsenal.
It has been a day full of emotions. Arsenal fans across the globe stand divided over what they really want following news of Arsene Wenger’s imminent departure.
The Frenchman announced on Friday afternoon that he will be walking away from the Gunners when the current season ends. It has been 22 years since Wenger took charge of Arsenal and, while recent results have not been inspiring, there is no doubt that the former Monaco boss left a lasting legacy.
One of those legacies is definitely the quality of players he brought on board following his appointment in 1996. The 68-year-old often put his trust in the youth, but on occasions when he dipped his hands into the club’s coffers, nine out of ten, a quality player arrived at the Highbury, later the Emirates.
The tributes that have poured in for Wenger are testament of his work and the void he leaves behind will be very difficult to fill.
Below, we take a look at the top five greatest Arsene Wenger signings at Arsenal:
#5 Cesc Fabregas
In the summer of 2003 when Arsenal signed Cesc Fabregas, not many thought he would become the player he became. The Spain international caught the attention of Arsene Wenger as a 16-year-old, with the Frenchman bringing him from Barcelona to the Arsenal youth team.
However, Fabregas rose to become one of the best signings made by Wenger at Arsenal, winning over fans both in and outside the club. The midfielder fitted into the Arsenal set up seamlessly despite his relatively young age, and was already a starter at the age of 17.
More impressive was the fact that Fabregas turned out to be the perfect replacement for Patrick Vieira following the Frenchman’s departure to Juventus. Fabregas went on to captain the Gunners at the tender age of 21 due to his gifted nature.
In all, the Spaniard made 306 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 59 goals and assisting a further 91 times in all competitions for the club.
#4 Robert Pires
Robert Pires joined Arsenal from Olympique Marseille in 2000 on Arsene Wenger’s insistence. The former France international was brought to Arsenal as a replacement for Marc Overmars, who had left the Gunners in a record £25 million to join Barcelona.
Pires was also a major target for Real Madrid and Juventus, however, Wenger made sure that his compatriot chose Arsenal over the others. And it proved to be a good signing as the former French winger became one of the best to ever play for Arsenal.
He formed a fantastic partnership with Thierry Henry on the left side of attack, occasionally chipping in with important goals as well.
In 281 appearances, Pires scored 85 goals for Arsenal, helping the club to numerous trophies including the Premier League and the FA Cup.
#3 Kolo Toure
Retired Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure also qualifies as one of the greatest buys by Arsene Wenger during his stay with Arsenal. The defender was signed to Arsenal for a fee of £150,000 from Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas.
However, Toure grew into a leader at Arsenal, forming a formidable partnership with Sol Campbell at the heart of the Arsenal defense. His solidity and assured performances at the back made him a fan favourite.
The African was also a major part of the Arsenal team that went unbeaten, with his cool head particularly endearing him to many. Toure ended his Arsenal career in 2009 having copped 328 appearances for the Gunner, as well as numerous trophies.
#2 Robin van Persie
Arsene Wenger has always been a genius in getting players at a premium cost, but signing Robin van Persie for £2.75 million was more than just a bargain. The Dutch international, like Thierry Henry, started his career as a winger, but was successfully converted into a striker by Wenger.
Van Persie ended up scoring 132 goals in 280 appearances for the Gunners before acrimoniously opting to join rivals Manchester United in the summer of 2012. The season before that move, he netted 26 times in the Premier League to propel Arsenal to the Champions League.
Van Persie may have often endured an injury-hit stint with Arsenal, but he was always on song when fit and that makes him one of Wenger’s best ever signings.
#1 Thierry Henry
Undoubtedly the greatest signing ever made by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, Thierry Henry’s rise took everyone by surprise. For a player that had played all his young life as a winger, it remains a mystery how the French manager got to know he would thrive as a central striker.
Wenger signed Henry from Juventus for an estimated fee of £11 million in 1999. The Arsenal manager had earlier watched Henry when he was managing at Monaco – by then Henry was training with the youth side of the French club.
And so when the opportunity presented itself, the manager took him to Arsenal after the striker struggled to make a mark at Juventus. Wenger transformed Henry into a lethal striker, who rose to become Arsenal’s all-time top scorer.
The former France forward scored an impressive 227 goals in 371 games for Arsenal before joining Barcelona, and played an instrumental role in the Arsenal side that went unbeaten in winning the Premier League in the 2003/04 season.
