What If: Arsene Wenger had offered Zlatan Ibrahimovic a contract instead of a trial

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic was offered a trial by Wenger in 2000 (Image courtesy: ITV)
#2 Devastating combination with Thierry Henry
Barcelona's French forward Thierry Henry : News Photo
Henry and Ibrahimovic played later on in Barcelona

What if the brilliance of Zlatan was too good to be kept on the bench or as a squad player? What if the mercurial forward took away Bergkamp’s starting role right behind Henry to play up front alongside Henry?

A silky smooth and magisterial player in the form of Henry along with the towering and prolific Zlatan would be a deadly sight to behold. Wenger has been a staunch follower of formations featuring just one striker but Zlatan and Henry together would be a good reason to alter the tactics.

In this scenario, Arsenal would have retained all the strength and in fact, would have been even more powerful in their run as ‘The Invincibles’ during the 2003-04 season.

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