Nicolas Anelka (1997-1999)
Brought in from Paris St-Germain in 1997 for $500,000, this was possibly one of Wenger’s greatest ever signings from a financial standpoint.
Anelka was not a very established striker until he made the switch to Highbury and he certainly made his mark very quickly.
His goal threat and explosive pace helped the Gunners lift the Premier League title in his first season at the club. In 1998 Anelka helped Arsenal lift the F.A Cup, this was the Frenchman’s last trophy for the club.
Whilst he only spent 2 years in North London, Anelka built up a reputation of being one of the best strikers in the world and his efforts did not go unnoticed. Real Madrid acquired the striker’s services in 1999 for just over £22 million…a great profit for Wenger and Arsenal football club.
Thierry Henry (1999-2007)
Wenger’s best ever signing as Arsenal boss, no questions asked. Thierry Henry arrived from Juventus in 1999 for a fee of £10 million, which raised a few eyebrows with the Arsenal fans at the time. Henry was brought into the club to replace Nicolas Anelka, but Henry predominately played his football out on the wing rather than in the centre. This soon changed as Wenger converted the Frenchman into one of the best and most feared strikers the English game and world has ever witnessed.
His transformation from when he was bought, to the day he was sold was unprecedented. His skill, deadly finishing and terrifying pace made him one of the best in the world under Wenger’s guidance.
Henry spent 8 years at Arsenal and now holds the title of the clubs top ever goal scorer after shattering Ian Wright’s previous record. Wenger made a £6 million profit when he sold the forward to Barcelona in 2007.
Freddie Ljungberg (1998-2007)
Ljungberg was an absolute nobody with a ridiculous hairstyle when Wenger captured him from Swedish side Halmstads in 1998 for £3 million.
However, the Swede grew in popularity and status very rapidly with his professional manner towards the game. The wide man provided great pace and a keen eye for goal when he was with Arsenal. Arguably his best season came in 2001-02 where he helped the North London club clinch their second domestic double.
Just like Pires, Ljungberg bagged 2 Premier League titles, 3 F.A Cups with the Gunners. But, after 9 years with Arsenal, 46 goals and 216 appearances, the versatile Swedish winger decided to depart from Highbury. In 2007 Freddie Ljungberg headed east, where he signed a four-year deal with West Ham.
Robert Pires (2000-2006)
In the year 2000, Wenger decided to bring in Robert Pires from French side Metz for £6 million. Fans were unsure of the acquisition of the winger at the time, but these views soon changed. Pires adapted quickly to the English game, while many pundits thought the Frenchman would have struggled in his first season at Highbury. His second season was a scintillating one, so good that he won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 2002.
His skill, touch and technique was second to none, and the Arsenal faithful adored watching the Frenchman…he even bagged a few goals in the Arsenal shirt (84 in 283 appearances to be exact). Pires spent 6 years at Arsenal where he won 2 Premier League titles, 3 F.A Cups, and 2 Community shields.
Continue to page 3 to find out the rest of the list…
