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Arsene Wenger is one of the most revered coaches in world football. He took the charge of Arsenal in 1996 and spent 22 glorious years with the club. He made Arsenal a force to be reckoned with his astute signings and tactical acumen.
He won three Premier League titles and & seven FA cups with the club. Arsenal also finished runner-up in the UEFA Champions’ League in 2005-06 under his tutelage.
Arsenal rewrote record books under Wenger by winning the English League without losing a single match in the 2003-04 season. They also moved to a their new Etihad stadium from Highbury during Wenger’s tenure.
Wenger’s Arsenal was known for its attractive brand of football. Their playing style had a lot of variety too. Their free-flowing, short-passing game was often complemented by long, diagonal passes to the wings from their own half which led to many goals.
Over the years, Arsenal have had some superb players who enthralled their fans and football-lovers alike with their brilliant performances. Let us now take a look at the top 5 signings made by the maestro at Arsenal.
#5 Robert Pires
The stylish Frenchman was signed by Wenger from Marseille. Pires could play in either wing and was well-known for his elegant dribbling, accurate passing and silken skills. He spent six years at the club and scored 62 goals in 189 matches.
Pires also won two Premier League titles, two FA cups and a UCL runners-up medal with the club. He was also part of the famous “Invincibles” team that won the league without losing a single match. He got selected in the 'Premier League team of the decade'.
Pires was primarily a winger but could play in the central midfield too. He was not as fast as fellow Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg but made up for it with his delightful ball-skills and vision.
The French mid-fielder could play as a playmaker too and provided numerous assists apart from scoring goals himself. His brilliant strike against Liverpool in 2003 is still etched in the memories of Arsenal fans. It’s not a mere coincidence that Arsenal’s decline started soon after Pires left the club in 2006.
#4 Freddie Ljungberg
Freddie Ljungberg was the most successful Swedish footballer in the history of the Premier League. He played in 372 matches and scored 72 goals for the club in his nine years with them.
He also won two Premier Leagues and three FA Cups and got selected in 'Premier League’s team of the decade'. He firmly etched his name in the club’s hall of fame with his stupendous performance during his stint with the club.
Ljungberg was known for his pace and could be electrifying down the left wing. He was the primary reason behind the success of Arsenal’s counter-attacking tactics. He used to collect long, diagonal balls from the defense and make those marauding runs to destroy opposition defenders.
He could also play as a second striker in the 4-5-1 formation adopted sometimes by Arsenal. Ljungberg was also a vital part of the “Invincibles” team and went on to score some vital goals.
#3 Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole was an Arsenal fan since his childhood and became an Arsenal player when he played his first senior match in 1999. Cole spent seven years with the club and went on to appear in 228 matches for them. He also won two League title and three FA Cups with them.
At his peak, he was one of the best left-backs in the world and one of the most important players for his club. He was part of a solid back four also comprising Lauren, Sol Campbell and Martin Keown. Arsenal's solid defense was the main reason behind their memorable run in the 2005-06 UEFA Champions' League.
Cole replaced Brazilian left-back Sylvinho in the club side and went on to make the position his own in course of time. He was very solid defensively and a very good man-marker. He also quite capable going forward and delivering some delightful crosses.
Cole left for fellow London club Chelsea in 2006 under acrimonious circumstances but there is no denying the fact that he was one of the legends of Arsenal.
#2 Robin Van Persie
Wenger signed Van Persie from Feyenoord in 2004 and the Dutchman turned out to be one of his finest signings. In his seven years with the club, Van Persie scored 132 goals in 278 matches and provided many more assists.
During his prime, Van Persie was one of the best strikers in the world. He was quite versatile too and almost equally comfortable playing as a support striker.
Van Persie could not win the Premier League with 'the Gunners' but went on to win a FA Cup title. His stint with Arsenal coincided with the rise of Jose Mourinho’s brilliant Chelsea team. Had it not been so, he could have definitely have the Premier League title under his belt.
He would be remembered by Arsenal supporters for his thunderous free-kick against Sunderland in 2005 and the brilliant hat-trick he scored against Blackburn rovers. Van Persie won the Premier League’s Golden Boot twice and also won the 'Player of the Year' award for the 2011-12 season.
#1 Thierry Henry
Henry was one of the most influential footballers in the history of Premier League football. Wenger signed Henry from Juventus in 1998 and he went on to become the most prolific goal-scorer in the club’s history with 226 goals in 369 matches. In his nine years with the London club, Henry won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
Henry was primarily a striker and formed a deadly striking partnership with the Dutch great Dennis Bergkamp at Arsenal. Those two tormented the defenders of other clubs and wrote the most glorious chapter in the club’s history.
Henry could also cut inside from the left wing and let loose his thunderous shots. He was a very good dribbler too. His magnificent hat-trick against AS Roma in 2002 and his stupendous performance against Real Madrid in 2006 are part of the club’s folklore.
Henry was selected in the 'Premier League’s team of the Century'. He also finished runner-up in Ballon D’Or in 2003 and also won the Golden Boot four times. The legend left the club in 2007 and made a brief return to play only four matches in 2012. He continues to be a benchmark of excellence for the Premier League strikers.
