Top 5 players Arsenal have let go of

Manchester United v Hull City - Premier League
Van Persie's sensational form guided Manchester United to the league title

#3 Samir Nasri

AFC Ajax v Manchester City FC - UEFA Champions League
Nasri played his part in 2 league successes for Manchester City

After a decent first couple of years at Arsenal, the playmaker exploded in the 2010/2011 season, showing the skills and dribbling ability that everyone knew he possessed. He scored 10 goals in 30 appearances as a midfielder, stepping up a level to help Fabregas take their team forward.

In the summer of 2011, Manchester City came calling, offering the player considerably more money. Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Adebayor had already made the same switch in then high-profile moves and it seemed unwise and unlikely that Nasri would follow suit. Arsenal did not try to match their wage offer and the player took the money and left. Two titles followed, Nasri a forceful presence in both triumphs.

His new team would finish a massive 19 points ahead of Arsenal as they struggled in the season both he and Fabregas departed the team. Nasri was a player with his best years ahead of him, a player Wenger could have built his team around for the foreseeable future but it just was not to be.

Quick Links