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The current generation is alien to the once heavyweights called Arsenal. The club that thrived under Arsene Wenger's guidance has turned out to be no more than any ordinary club within the Premier League in recent times.
Arsenal had an array of great players that included the likes of Thierry Henry, Cesc Fàbregas, Patrick Vieira, Robin van Persie, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires, David Seaman and many more. The list never ends.
The Gunners have always held the perfect combination of grassroots talent and massive purchases. Quite a few big names arrived at Arsenal to don the legendary red and white kit and establish themselves as one of the best in Europe.
The Invincibles have also had a fair amount of share in 'big-buck' transfers. Without further ado, let us take a look at the top 5 sales in the history of Arsenal.
#5 Alexis Sánchez | Arsenal to Manchester United (€34.00m) | 2018
The former Barcelona man achieved almost everything he could at club level with Blaugrana and came to England to face new challenges.
Chile's all-time top scorer was tied down to a long-term deal at Arsenal. After a stint of top quality performances at the highest level of football, the Gunners' move seemed perfect for Sánchez.
In his four years at the Emirates, Alexis Sánchez won two FA Cups, one Community Shield title and two Arsenal player of the season awards. He was also inducted into the PFA 2014-15 Premier League Team of the Year.
Despite having a brilliant run at Arsenal, Sánchez decided to move to Manchester United to play under Jose Mourinho and for the biggest club in the world (as said by him ahead of the move).
#4 Cesc Fàbregas | Arsenal to Barcelona (€34.00m) | 2011
Arguably, Fàbregas has to be the most loved player by the Arsenal loyals this century. The fact that he was handed the captain's armband when he was just 19 shows the trust the club put behind Fàbregas.
A thorough La Masia product, Cesc's gameplay reflected the iconic Spanish style by all means. With a series of good seasons in the Arsenal shirt, Fàbregas kept maturing to be one of the deadliest midfielders in the realm of football.
In 2011, without much of a surprise, Barcelona came back to knock on Arsenal's door to discuss the return of their wonderkid. After agreeing on a fee of €34.00 million, the Spaniard boarded the flight to La Liga.
#3 Nicolas Anelka | Arsenal to Real Madrid (€35.00m) | 1999
Nicolas Anelka is one of the few players within Europe's top five leagues to have played for numerous top-tier clubs throughout his career.
Anelka has donned jerseys for PSG, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. Among them, the French international has spent the most time with Chelsea.
Anelka arrived at Arsenal at the tender age of 17 under the club's new manager, also one of the best ever in its history — Arsene Wenger. Anelka left Arsenal for Real Madrid, a place where he experienced a topsy-turvy career.
Nicolas Anelka later revealed that he should have never left Arsenal. The Frenchman is placed 29th in the club's compilation of the 50 Greatest Gunners of all-time.
#2 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | Arsenal to Liverpool (€38.00m) | 2017
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's switch to domestic rivals Liverpool sent shockwaves across the Gunners fans. Arsenal's favorite prodigy was expected to grow within the ranks at the club where he has flourished the most in.
However, fate had something different waiting for Chamberlain and Arsenal. The England international joined Merseyside in 2017.
Despite having constant run-ins with injuries that also cost him two major tournaments with England (2016 Euro and 2018 World Cup), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a promising midfielder in England.
#1 Marc Overmars | Arsenal to Barcelona (€40.00m) | 2000
Former Dutch international Marc Overmars came to Arsenal with a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.
Arsenal's then manager Wenger bestowed huge expectations on Overmars in an attempt to fill the gaps that prevented the Gunners from winning the domestic title.
The challenge got the former Ajax man excited.
I like English football because there is more pace. With my speed and quality I think it will be good for me here. - Marc Overmars ahead of his Arsenal move.
Overmars garnered interest from some big names across the continent. However, interest from Barcelona flattered the Dutch international. He joined the La Liga outfit for a hefty fee in July 2000.
Despite spending four years at Barcelona as opposed to three at Arsenal, Overmars has been lauded as one of the greatest Gunners of all time by fans.
That ends our list of top five sales done by Arsenal. Let us know who according to you ended up as the best bargain for the Gunners.
