Top signings by Arsène Wenger

Cesc Fabregas

In: £500k Out: £35 million

Probably the best mix of talent, temperament and class, Cesc Fabregas was an idol for youngsters around the world. Thrust in to the limelight at the age of 16, he quickly became the spine of the team. Picked up from the Barcelona youth academy, he came cheap at £500k. Already a prolific scorer for his old team, he took a bit of teething before he dug his feet in. But once he got going, there was no force stronger than a rampaging Arsenal midfield.

His prowess has been validated by the numerous awards he’s bagged over the years at Arsenal. He won the Premier League Player of the Month (January 2007, September 2007), PFA Young Player of the Year (2007–08) and was a part of the UEFA Team of the Year (2006, 2008) and PFA Team of the Year (2007–08, 2009–10). All this and more, even before he was 25.

Fabregas picked up the number 4 jersey after Vieira left for Juventus, and dispelled the initial doubts that he was no match for his predecessor in terms of strength and aggression. Fabregas brought the midfield together, threading passes and putting defenders to shame. In 2008, Fabregas finally took upon himself the responsibility of captaincy. He suffered an injury right when Arsenal were looking bright, and was out for four months.

In the year of 2011, Fabregas figuratively put his foot down and requested to head home to Barcelona. The ensuing deal was reported to be in the region of £35 million. A clear contrast to Anelka in terms of attitude, he was even better in terms of the money that eventually trickled in. In clear accounting terms, this was a ‘high return investment’.