Arsene Wenger's 20 best Arsenal signings

Richard D’cruze 23:53 22/09/2016
Who do you think has been Wenger's best signing?

Do you agree with the selection?

Has anyone been missed from this list? Are the players in the right order?

Share with us your thoughts by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

1. THIERRY HENRY

Without a doubt the best piece of business Arsene Wenger has ever done. From failing to score in his first eight games to becoming the club’s all-time leading goal scorer, there’s a reason why Titi is called The King’.

2. PATRICK VIEIRA

Joined the club with Le Prof in 1996, Vieira was a vital cog in midfield throughout his career. Not only did he win the double with Arsenal in his first full season, the Frenchman scored the opening goal against Tottenham in the North London derby, captaining the club to become ‘The Invincibles’.

3. EMMANUEL PETIT


Petit’s partnership with Vieira in the middle of the park was one of the many strokes of genius that Wenger made. Originally a left midfielder, Emmanuel was converted into a defensive stalwart; and he completely bossed that position in his three years at Highbury.

4. MARC OVERMARS

Despite his constant injuries, the Dutchman always delivered whenever it came to stepping up to the plate. He scored against league leaders Manchester United to put Arsenal six points behind with three games to spare, and then a brace against Everton to win the title in 1998. Overmars also got the all-important opener against Newcastle United during the FA Cup final which led Arsenal to their first double under Arsene Wenger.

5. FREDDIE LJUNGBERG


Freddie’s best form came to life during the second-half of the double-winning 2001-2002 season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions. He scored vital strikes against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool in the league, as well as the second goal against Chelsea during the 2002 FA Cup final, which coincidentally made him the first player to score in two consecutive finals.

6. ROBERT PIRES

Voted by fans as the sixth greatest player in Arsenal’s history, Pires played a crucial part in The Invincible’s era. Forming a dominating attacking partnership with Ashley Cole and Thierry Henry on the left-side of the pitch, Robert scored 14 goals and notched seven assists that season. It’s a shame his last match in Arsenal colours led him to be substituted for Manuel Almunia after just 18 minutes during the Champions League final against Barcelona, when Jens Lehman was sent off.

7. ROBIN VAN PERSIE


Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Van Persie carried the club on his shoulders during his eight years in a Gunners jersey. His last strike for Arsenal not only made him the top scorer in 2011-2012 season, but also the club’s eighth highest record scorer.

8. MESUT OZIL


At £42.5 million, Ozil is Arsenal’s most expensive signing. The ‘Assist King’ has been an integral cog in the midfield since his first day at the club. Last season saw him tally Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in all competitions, which won him the Arsenal Player of the Season Award.

9. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

The Chilean’s transfer was a bargain. His first season at the club saw him win Arsenal’s first trophy in nine years and finish the season with an impressive 25 goals in all competitions.

10. JENS LEHMANN

The German stopper played every single game of the 2003-04 season and kept a record 10 clean sheets during the 2005 Champions League. Noted for leaving his position and coming out of the box to intercept passes, mad Jens’ most famous moment of ridiculousness was when he was sent off against Barcelona – being the first player and only goalkeeper ever to be given his marching orders in a Champions League final.

11. SOL CAMPBELL

What better way to ignite a flame against your fiercest rival than stealing their best defender – that too, on a free transfer! The ex-England international enjoyed a formidable partnership with either Tony Adams or Martin Keown in his first two seasons, and then an indestructible one with Kolo Toure during the unbeaten season of 2003-04.

12. CESC FABREGAS

Joining the Arsenal Academy form Barcelona at the age of 16, he became Arsenal’s youngest ever first team player in 2003. He also became the club’s youngest-ever goal scorer during the League Cup match against Wolverhampton that same year. Although he never won any title honours during his entire career with the Gunners, Wenger built the team around him. The former captain’s return to boyhood club Barcelona was the hardest for Arsenal fans to swallow.

13. LAUREN


Joining Arsenal in 2000, Lauren cemented his place as the first choice right-back towards the end of Lee Dixon’s career, and was one of the unsung heroes of The Invincibles side. Despite being blighted by injuries for most of his Arsenal career, he won five major trophies in seven seasons.

14. LAURENT KOSCIELNY


One of Europe’s most consistent and reliable defenders, Laurent has been a valuable part of the back four since his arrival from Lorient in 2010. A total of 21 goals to date isn’t bad for a defender, either. It also makes him Arsenal’s highest scoring defender in the Premier League era.

15. SANTI CAZORLA


Not only is Santi ambidextrous, he’s also technically gifted. Brought in to fill the void in midfield left by Fabregas and Nasri, the diminutive Spaniard displayed a statement performance in his debut match and has gone on to become irreplaceable – either by dictating play, scoring or assisting. Always with a smile on his face, it makes one wonder if he truly is the happiest man in the planet.

16. TOMAS ROSICKY

He may have spent the majority of his 10 seasons injured, but the Little Mozart was a stellar buy from Borussia Dortmund. Producing match-winning performances whenever he played, Rosicky scored some crazy screamers for Arsenal. If it weren’t for his injuries, you could say that Tomas could’ve become Arsenal’s greatest ever No. 7.

17. PETR CECH

Considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, Cech’s price tag came with a legendary status; being somewhat of a cult hero at Chelsea before making the switch to Arsenal. Rarely prone to making errors, the Czech stopper is the most reliable goalkeeper we’ve seen at North London in years.

18. GILBERTO SILVA


During his time with Arsenal, Gilberto developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. His best season with Arsenal was during The Invincibles, playing 32 Premier League matches, scoring four goals and notching one assist.

19. NICOLAS ANELKA

Anelka joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old and spent just two seasons at the club. He was a key player during the 1997-98 season, firing the Gunners to their fist double in 30 years, and finished the following campaign – his last at Arsenal – as the club’s top scorer with 17 Premier League goals. His blistering pace and power, at times, made him unplayable.

20. HECTOR BELLERIN

Like Fabregas, Hector was brought to the Arsenal Academy as a youth product at the age of 16. Following injuries to Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Nacho Monreal, Hector was recalled back into the first-team squad for the 2014 Champions League match against Barcelona. The Spaniard is now the first choice right-back for the club and there’s no sign of him letting go of that spot any time soon.

Recommended