View From The Sphere

Wenger’s worst XI

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With the transfer window firmly shut and following a twitter discussion with @Gunnersharpy, @Paulponting, @glenelggunner & @gunner_oz, here is, in my opinion, Arsene Wenger’s biggest failings in the transfer market, per position.

We all know Arsene is one of the best in the transfer market, but sometimes they don’t always work out as planned!!!

Keeper – Rami Shaaban

Signed in August 2002 as a potential replacement for David Seaman. Plagued by injuries in his two seasons at Arsenal. Was part of the ‘Invincibles’ squad, but never played.

Left-back – Mikaël Silvestre

£750,000 we didn’t need to spend. Wore Pascal Cyan’s no.18 shirt! Enough said!

Centre-back – Igor Stepanovs

Latvian centre-back who arrived from Skonto Riga in September 2000. His name sends shivers down my spine and takes me back to a bad time, February 25th 2001!

Centre-back – Efstathios Tavlaridis

£1 million signing in 2001, one substitute appearance in two years when Arsenal beat Southampton 6-1 (a game famous for two hat-tricks by two different players). Was never really going to split up Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure.

Right-back – Sebastian Svard

In six seasons Svard never made a league appearance. The highlight of his Arsenal Career was his 2004 Community Shield winners medal.

Left-midfield – Alberto Méndez

Signed in ’97 from German fifth tier side SC Feucht for £250,000. Stayed four seasons (two on loan) and disappeared back into obscurity. Last seen in Germany with fourth division side Spvgg Weiden who went bust in 2010 due to a €1 million debt.

Centre midfield – Junichi Inamoto

A joke of a signing, especially at £3.5 million. Blatant marketing ploy and that didn’t even work! Two League Cup appearances (think I saw them both), one season at The Arsenal. Has had 10 clubs in 11 years which explains a lot!

Centre midfield – Stefan Malz

Six appearances, one goal, 2000 UEFA Cup runners up medal.

Right midfield – Jermaine Pennant

Once the most expensive teenager in football, Pennant is the epitome of all that is bad with footballers. Doesn’t have two brain cells to rub together, arrogant beyond belief, all the talent in the world but would rather p!ss it up against the wall or snort it up his nose. Oh and forgets he owns a Porsche and leaves it in a Spanish car park for 12 months.

Striker – Francis Jeffers

The fox in the box!!! I think we dropped the ball on that one. Was playing a league with Newcastle Jets as their ‘marquee’ player last season. Was rumoured to be off to the Indian Football League.

Striker – Thomas Danilevicius

Renowned? Lithuanian striker who survived one season and was then sold on to mighty Dunfermline Athletic. Danilevicius is the top scorer of all time for the Lithuanian national team, with 19 goals in 69 matches, but never really cut the mustard at Arsenal.

So there you have it £20 million we could of saved, spent on players we’d rather forget!!!

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3 comments

  • jack says:

    ok here is another load of rubbish players Senderos Sqiud Deneilson Bendtder Almunia Flappernaski Djoure Chamuck Park.None of these are fit to wear the arsenal shirt.

  • DmitryMD says:

    Why not Rich Wright on goal?

  • NO mental strength says:

    …and add to the list the meerkat (Arshavin), Diaby, Rosicknote and Merte-sacker-crap. Honestly we have so many duds who just cannot cut it it is getting silly. We won’t get 4th as long as these jokers are on the pitch and Arsene “Le Cock” remains our manager. We need fresh impetus!

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