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#3 Alexis Sanchez - Manchester United
Arsenal, who are not necessarily the biggest spenders in the Premier League, paid €42.5m to sign Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona in 2014. The winger was a ray of hope for the club at the time and brought much-needed flamboyancy to their attack.
His electric runs down the flank and lethal finishing in front of goal quickly made him a fan favorite. Sanchez led Arsenal to two FA Cups in 2015 and 2017.
Between 2014 and 2018, he scored a total of 80 goals across all competitions.
To everyone’s surprise, Arsenal sold the player to Manchester United in the winter transfer window of 2018 that too for only €34m.
His spell at Old Trafford was unremarkable and saw him make only 45 appearances over one-and-a-half seasons.
#2 Ashley Cole - Chelsea
Like Alexis Sanchez, Ashley Cole also looked destined to become an Arsenal legend. Unfortunately, his ambition could not help but take him to one of Arsenal’s biggest rivals - Chelsea.
Cole graduated from Arsenal’s academy and joined the senior team in 1999. The left-back was full of finesse and attacking intelligence, which made him a real asset to the Gunners.
He helped Arsenal to two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, becoming one of their most influential players in history.
In the summer of 2005, Cole was caught discussing a potential transfer with Chelsea without notifying Arsenal. The relationship between the club and the player hit rock bottom and he eventually signed for the Blues in 2006.
He spent eight seasons at Chelsea, winning one Premier League, four FA Cups, one Champions League and a Europa League title.
#1 Robin van Persie - Manchester United
Between 2004 and 2015, there were not many Premier League stars who could match the brilliance of Robin van Persie. The Dutchman was a majestic forward, capable of scoring audacious goals without breaking a sweat.
Arsenal discovered Van Persie early in the century and secured his services in 2004. Although Arsene Wenger acquired him as a left-forward, the Frenchman wanted him to take up a more central role. So over the next few years, Van Persie changed his game and turned into a vicious centre-forward.
Van Persie helped Arsenal to the FA Cup in 2004-05 and even took them to a Champions League final in 2005-06. Individually, he enjoyed his best-ever season in 2011-12, where his 30 Premier League goals won him the Golden Boot.
A legend at Arsenal, Van Persie decided to join Manchester United ahead of the 2012-13 season. The Gunners supporters did not take it well and branded him a traitor almost immediately.
Unaffected by the criticism, Van Persie won the Golden Boot again in the 2012-13 season and helped Manchester United to their 20th Premier League title.
