Arsenal FC Transfer History: Top 10 Arsenal Signings of the Premier League Era
The term "diamond in the rough" describes a jewel whose brilliance is under-stated because it has not yet been cut. It takes a solid tactical nous to identify such a gem and polish it. But if one man in the footballing world has shown a penchant for doing just that, it must surely be Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
The Frenchman's tenure is littered with several astute signings. And in an era where a Liverpool manager broke the bank on players like Ryan Babel (£11.5m), Robbie Keane (£19m) and Alberto Aquilani (£17m), Wenger is a lone beacon proving to his cross-town rivals that flinging £50m at Liverpool gets you no closer to that coveted Champions League trophy.
Much misdirected criticism has been levelled at Wenger lately and an attitude of doom and gloom surrounds every new transfer rumour linking Wenger with a talented young prospect. Unfortunately, there is neither the time nor space to explain why that criticism is misdirected (the author promises to dedicate an article in the near future to that discussion).
Instead, the choice was made to fashion a couple more jokes about how Fernando Torres can now join Andriy Shevchenko, the French team and Pele's manhood on the list of most embarrassing flops in football history. Additionally, football purists take heart from the fact that the outspoken, walking disaster that is Nicklas Bendtner scored more times this season than his £50m counterpart at Stamford Bridge.
And then, ignoring Oasis' mind-numbing, grating cries of "Don't look back in Wenger", we proceed to do exactly that. So join us on a journey that may shake you to your very core. Then again it probably will not, but will at least provide some laughs and fond memories...
1. Greatest Vulture to Attack Van Nistelrooy: Martin Keown
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Keown came to Arsenal for a paltry £2m just in time for the inaugural Premier League season in 1992. Fighting defensive stalwart Steve Bould out of the starting line up took some doing, but he eventually cemented his place at the heart of the most formidable English defence in years. Alongside the legendary Tony Adams, Keown became a firm fixture for club and country for the next decade.
When he was not attacking Dutch strikers like a demented vulture (pic), Keown was respected for his strength and fiery demeanour. Rumour has it that Michael Ballack sought footballing lessons from Keown, although little transfer of footballing knowledge ever ocurred.
2. Best Thing to Come out of Tottenham: Sol Campbell
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It seems that every season, the White Hart Lane faithful find another Judas. Whether it be Teddy Sheringham leaving for glory, Sol Campbell leaving for medals or Dimitar Berbatov leaving for trophies...wait, there seems to be a pattern here.
It will never be known if the real reason Berbatov left Spurs was for trophies or because it is impossible to spot a victim's blood on the red Manchester United jerseys. But it is known that Michael Carrick, who also departed for glory at Old Trafford, satisfies the dual purpose of being an undiluted waste of space and having cost United £18m. Anyway, back on topic...
Campbell came to Highbury on a free transfer in 2001 to replace the aging Tony Adams. Within a year, he established himself at the heart of the Arsenal defence that would soon go an entire season unbeaten in the league.
Sol Campbell was the defensive rock around which the Gunners built their Invincibles team of 2003-04. In addition, he had the habit of popping up with the odd goal once in a while, making him a crowd favourite at Highbury.
Although he spends his time these days in a one-on-one duel against Heurelho Gomes for the title of the Premiership's biggest liability, his first spell at Arsenal will be fondly remembered by the Gunners faithful. And for the amusement of neutrals, Campbell was also involved in the longest televised tackle since the beginning of video pornography.
3. Most Well-Oiled Arsenal Player: Freddie Ljungberg
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There are underwear models and then there are underwear models. His modelling shoot for Calvin Klein leaves little to the imagination. And it lets Arsenal fans know that the updated (after he shaved the red streak from his hair) terrace chant of "We love you Freddie, because you've got no hair..." does apply beyond the normally visible parts of Ljungberg as well.
Bought by Wenger for just £3m in 1998, the flamboyant Swede became a regular starter after Marc Overmars departed in the summer of 2000. Comfortable on either wing, Ljungberg could also play in the centre of a 4-5-1 as well as a supporting striker role. Indeed, it was in the latter role that he put the finishing touch to some stunning play by front man Dennis Bergkamp in a Champions League match against Juventus.
Ljungberg had undoubtedly his best season for Arsenal in 2001-02. He replaced Robert Pires for the last 10 matches of the season and went on to score in almost every one. He even popped up with a brilliant goal to close out the FA Cup final against Chelsea that season. Pretty smooth, wouldn't you agree?
4. Why Did He Kill Dumbledore?: Robert Pires
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After an indifferent couple of seasons at Olympique Marseille, Robert Pires joined Arsenal for a mere £6m. And seeing as Arsenal had shelled out £8m for the pathetic Francis Jeffers the same summer, perhaps Marseille missed a trick here much to the Gunners' benefit.
For me, Robert Pires will forever epitomise the footballing era of deliciously curling shots. It was a period of beauty—where the finesse of a brilliantly curled free kick was appreciated more than the modern idea of, "Leather it hard as you can and let the ball dip and swerve in four different directions before reaching the helpless keeper."
For half a decade, Pires dominated the central midfield, culminating in the 49-game unbeaten streak during the "Invincibles" season of 2003-04. The French maestro was the creative genius behind some of the greatest football during this author's lifetime, and that is high praise coming from a dedicated United fan.
While we await the final movie of the Harry Potter franchise to discover precisely why Pires murdered Professor Dumbledore atop the Astronomy tower, we can rest assured that Pires produced one of the finest moments of the 2003-04 season with this goal against Liverpool.
5. Making Carrick Look Sh**e Since 2005: Cesc Fabregas
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Remember the days when Cesc was just a prodigious attacking midfielder instead of an arrogant toerag flirting with Barcelona at every opportunity? Those were the days.
As far as play-making goes, Fabregas is invaluable. While his participation this season has been hampered by injury, one needs to only go back as far as last season to remember the magical deeds the Spaniard is capable of.
Either that, or watch someone like Michael Carrick at work. It is quite surprising how much your appreciation for even the average midfielder rises after watching Carrick or Joey Barton for 90 minutes.
Surely a free transfer from Barcelona at the age of 16 was the steal of the century.
6. Most Under-Rated Dutchman...Ever?: Marc Overmars
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To many, Marc Overmars remains the most under-rated Arsenal player of the Premier League era. After Thierry Henry, Overmars may well be the best Arsenal signing by all accounts. Including Ljungberg. Including Vieira. And including Bergkamp.
No, I am not missing an eye. No, not both eyes either. What was that about my mother? Well, that's just rude now. Anyway, before the insulting retorts begin to flood in, hear me out.
These days, several players are hyped up as being gifted with "blinding pace" just because they are marginally quicker than an opposition defender. Frenchman Loic Remy and the Premier League's village bicycle—Jermaine Pennant—are prime examples.
But the phrase "blinding pace" might well have been coined to describe Overmars. Coupled with sharp technical skills, the Dutchman displayed the blazing speed that Gareth Bale could showcase if he spent more time playing and less time at his permanent address: "Physio Room, White Hart Lane".
Imagine a two-footed Gareth Bale. Imagine if Theo Walcott could do any more than blaze past the defender to the byline only to plant his cross firmly into the crowd. Imagine if Aaron Lennon was not a big enough git to shave "speed stripes" into the side of his head. But I digress...
The Dutch winger had a habit of scoring vital goals, perhaps none more important than his goal against Manchester United in the FA Cup final in 1998. Picking up the pieces of a botched opportunity by Nicolas Anelka, Overmars strode up to the ball near the top of the box and slammed it into the roof of Peter Schmeichel's net.
For that goal and several other moments of magic, the Highbury masses are indebted to the Dutch speedster. While Bergkamp brought the magic, Vieira brought strength and Ljungberg brought trickery, Overmars combined it all.
Remember the speed, remember the magic...remember Marc Overmars.
7. The Creator of All Things Bright and Beautiful: Dennis Bergkamp
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The touch and control of a slender Thai masseuse coupled with the vision of a moderately-powerful psychic adds up to one of the most potent forwards of our generation.
Players like Dimitar Berbatov and Zlatan Ibrahimovic try every day—and fail every day—to measure up to the Dutch maestro. They fail for the simple reason that, while they may produce a single moment of outrageous brilliance during their entire career, Dennis Bergkamp produced them on a weekly basis. As though he oozed brilliance. As though he routinely made hundreds of eyes pop out of their sockets and thousands of jaws drop.
For a man who displayed the most outlandish piece of skill since an alien made a bicycle fly in Hollywood, only to top himself soon after, why waste a thousand words when a video says more than we ever could?
8. The Immovable Object That Broke Many an Irresistible Force: Patrick Vieira
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Arsene Wenger asked for Vieira to be signed as a condition for his arrival at Highbury in 1996. His request was duly accepted and the Frenchman arrived for a bargain price of £3.5m.
His height, strength and stamina coupled with slick passing and composure meant that he fit the new-look Arsenal system like a glove. Breaking stereotypes left, right and centre, the combative Frenchman (yes, you heard right!) got the armband after Tony Adams retired in 2002 and captained Arsenal through the next three seasons.
A decade of dedicated service and a departing price tag of £14m served as more than adequate thanks for Wenger's faith in him. Along with Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira remains an iconic image of the Invincibles side of 2003-04.
9. He Who Must Not Be Named...At the San Siro: Thierry Henry
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Pace. More pace. And just when you thought you had him, even more pace. That was Thierry Henry in a nutshell. Henry epitomised Arsenal during a period where the Gunners would leave your team broken and humiliated, but you couldn't help admiring them.
Whether he was running Javier Zanetti ragged at the San Siro or leaving Jamie Carragher looking like—well, Jamie Carragher—at Highbury, on his day Henry was indisputably the best in the world. Characterized by an almost God-like arrogance, it was a common sight to see Henry produce a moment off magic before peeling away to celebrate with a nonchalant shrug of the shoulder.
Known at the San Siro (and quite possibly the Santiago Bernabeu) simply as 'He Who Must Not Be Named', Henry is the hero that was idolised by a whole upcoming generation of strikers. Not to mention the inspiration behind a slew of YouTube videos.
Never over-estimated. Never over-rated. Just Thierry Henry...
10. The Second Coming: Robin Van Persie
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Being Dutch, you just know he has the technique. Factor in a deadly finishing ability. And we get the most potent striker since Thierry Henry. Signed from Feyenoord for less than £3m in 2003, the Dutchman has the potential to eclipse Thierry Henry as the greatest Arsenal striker ever.
If only he could stay fit for long enough, he would have a stunning goal ratio. Unfortunately, a string of injuries has seen him join Owen Hargreaves and Jonathan Woodgate as players who will soon have to pay property taxes on their physio tables, which qualify as their secondary residences at this point.
As it is, he scored 18 goals in just the latter half of this season, almost taking the Golden Boot off joint winners Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov (20) in the process. Opponents shudder to imagine what van Persie is capable of when fully fit.
It is perhaps fitting that the Dutchman donned the number 10 shirt previously worn by Bergkamp, as he is most similar to his legendary compatriot in style. That seems to indicate that van Persie will be favoured by the addition of a powerful, pacy compliment in the mold of Thierry Henry.
He Who Must Not Be Played—Dishonourable Mention: Manuel Almunia
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How on earth does Almunia deserve to be here, you ask? The answer is quite simple. Yours truly, despite being a United fan, took great pains to maintain an air of impartiality during the selection process. As a result, we obtained the list of top 10 transfers during the Premier League era...for Arsenal.
But what about the neutral spectator? And the rival fans? Without a doubt, Almunia has provided them with as many laughs as he has provided the Emirates faithful with sighs of relief. It is for that reason that he was chosen for this dubious honour.
While Manuel Almunia is often that painful bruise on Gunners fans' backsides that leaves them unable to sit down for the entire 90 minutes, he has had his moments. Take the Champions League game against Barcelona last season for instance.
Whether it be through blunders or brilliance, Almunia provided some genuine moments of entertainment from a neutral perspective. That is why, seeing as he cannot possibly remain at the Emirates after this season, we would like to take this opportunity to give him a send-off.
It will not be, as many of you may expect, a bloopers video. As much more fun as that might be, we choose to say farewell with much more dignity. Fare thee well Manuel, and may the road ahead be filled with performances as great as this season's display against Barcelona...Szczesny's performance, that is.
In Conclusion...
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Wenger's policy of buying young and developing talent has borne fruit countless times and although the same could be said of the sex trade in several developing nations, that fact is besides the point.
Arsene has a strong history of spotting the best talent and from the looks of this summer (with the early capture of Barcelona starlet Hector Bellerin), that trend is set to continue.
Disclaimer: Bleacher Report refutes all claims that Michael Ballack is related to or is descended from a long line of vultures suffering from mental disabilities. Neither can we ascertain that Robert Pires had anything to do with the controversial murder of eccentric Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Finally, we cannot confirm the rumour that Dimitar Berbatov is set to star in latest sequel in the Twilight series. Our reporter met the Bulgarian only last night and he proved to be quite delightful in person, even if he did insist on collecting a vial of our reporter's blood for testing purposes. Now, if someone could please point the way towards the closest blood bank...
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