Central Midfielder: Santi Cazorla – £16.5m
When Robin van Persie followed Cesc Fabregas out of the club a season apart, the squad desperately needed a player who could change the game. Enter Santi Cazorla.
Taking advantage of Malaga’s financial meltdown, Wenger splashed the cash to bring him in and he couldn’t hide his joy when he playfully said, “I don’t know who Cazorla is.”
The Spanish midfielder slotted into the midfield and his creativity was a breath of fresh air, not to mention his set piece ability – with both feet! Cazorla has been one of Wenger’s most influential signings in recent years and a knee injury severely dented the Gunners’ title hopes in the 2015/16 season.
Central Midfielder: Granit Xhaka – £34m
After Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini left the club in the summer of 2016, Arsenal’s midfield suddenly looked threadbare. They lacked a player with both steel and finesse to partner Cazorla and Wenger identified his target long before the season was over.
Granit Xhaka had been a target for months and the club agreed a deal with Borussia Monchengladbach in May to sign the Swiss midfielder. Blessed with a fine first touch, good movement and a powerful left foot, Xhaka has quickly made himself a fan favourite at the Emirates and has already formed an understanding with Cazorla in Francis Coquelin’s absence.
The only thing he needs to keep a lid on is his physicality as he has conceded a few fouls. And maybe not shoot every time the fans implore him to do so.
Attacking Midfielder: Mesut Ozil – £42.4m
“I don’t know, maybe we will surprise you.” When Wenger uttered those words following a north London derby win when asked about any possible signings before the 2013 summer transfer window closed, Arsenal fans lost it. The French manager’s teasing smile only increased the anticipation.
Mesut Ozil, one of the best midfielders in the world, was suddenly an Arsenal player a day later. With assists stats that had strikers licking their lips, the German midfielder became the Gunners’ most expensive signing ever. Jaws dropped when Wenger spent more than three times his transfer previous record fee at the time.
Ozil has since been instrumental in two FA Cup wins that ended a trophy drought at the club and also came close to breaking the Premier League record for most assists in a season in 2015/16. Arguably the most popular player at the club, he even has his own chant that is heard every now and then at every game.
