Arsenal 2011 Transfers: 6 Former Wenger Players Who Could Come to Arsenal
With Arsenal being linked with a myriad number of players during the summer transfer season, it is indeed possible for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to swoop for a few of the charges who've formerly served under him.
The likes of Alexander Hleb and Sebastian Larsson—both were at Birmingham last season—could make a return to the Emirates, as can several other players who boast a wealth of experience.
Please note that the list does involve a bit of wishful thinking
Sebastian Larsson
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Age: 26
Position: Midfielder/Winger
Current Club: None (Free Agent after seeing out his contract with relegated Birmingham City)
Sebastian Larsson made it through the ranks at Arsenal alongside Fabrice Muamba, Nicklas Bendtner and co. and left Arsenal as a 22-year-old when he was unable to break into the first team.
Four years later, the Sweden midfielder has acquired some much-needed steel in his game and although he isn't blessed with a lot of pace, he can read the game very well and is an excellent free-kick taker.
Talks are already underway, if the rumour mill is to be believed. Arsene Wenger might snap up the Swede for no cost with Newcastle United also interested. However, Sunderland seem to be in the driving seat in signing Larsson.
Probability of Joining Arsenal: It will be hard for him to replace Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in midfield, but the Swede has the ability to play on either flank as well. However, Arsenal may not be his first choice of Club.
Might see Arsenal As: A stepping stone to put himself in the shop window. If he puts in some good shifts and Arsenal do win silverware next season, Larsson might wish to move on as it is quite clear he won't be able to break into the first team.
David Trezeguet
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Age: 33
Position: Striker
Current Club: Hercules CF (Relegated from La Liga)
Although strictly not a "Wenger" player, Trezeguet came to AS Monaco from Argentina and was inculcated in the Youth System built there painstakingly by Arsene Wenger. Since then, Trezegol has made a name for himself in the world of football.
The World Cup winner was best known for forging a brilliant link with Thierry Henry at international level and it showed as France brushed aside their much-vaunted opposition. At club level, he linked up superbly with Alessandro Del Piero at Juventus.
Arsenal's players are great at creating chances, but too often a time, there is no one to finish these chances off. Trezeguet is the ideal predator for this situation, having proved his credentials with Juventus, where he became—and still is—their highest scorer of foreign origin.
Wenger should be able to land him quite cheaply since he is French and knows him quite well. Milan, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon all appear to be interested in the former France international.
Probability of Joining Arsenal: Trezeguet may offer what Arsenal lack, but the striker himself may not want to join an English Club so late in his career, though he could be playing in what is the most competitive league in the world
Might see Arsenal As: A chance to play in the best league in the world alongside a host of French-speaking players and wind down his career, all the while passing on his experience to younger players.
Aliaksandr Hleb
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Age: 30
Position: Midfielder/Support Striker
Current Club: Barcelona CF (Spent Last Season at Birmingham City on Loan)
While Alexander Hleb might have snapped up several trophies, including the UEFA Champions League, during his time at Barcelona. He has not been able to break into the first team. With the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Busquets ahead of him in the pecking order, it hardly seems likely that he will be able to nail down a permanent berth in the Catalan Club's starting eleven.
This has been further emphasised by Hleb's loss of form in Spain, and while he did capture some of his form at Stuttgart the season before last - Hleb's stomping ground before he came to Arsenal - and spent the last season at Birmingham, where he once again flitted in and out of the squad, being more injury prone than he ever was at Arsenal.
The Belarus midfielder has a year left on his Barcelona contract, but with the likes of Pedro Rodriguez and Thiago Alcantara on the cusp of the first team, the chances of him finding regular playing time are surely going to become more and more remote.
Hleb would fit right into Wenger's 4-3-3 and he's already familiar with the Emirates setup, having spent several years at the Club. The question is whether the fans will want him back. The only person who did show joy on seeing him at the Grove was Tomasz Rosicky.
Probability of Joining Arsenal: Hleb might take the opportunity to join Arsenal as a chance to resurrect his career, but there is no doubt that the midfielder still has quality. He might choose to join another club in order to move on in his career
Might see Arsenal As: Might be able to resurrect his career by joining Arsenal, and a chance to repay the fans for all the admiration they showed him. Will give him a chance to regain his confidence, playing alongside Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Rosicky et al.
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Robert Pires
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Age: 37
Position: Winger
Current Club: None (Free Agent after seeing out his contract with Aston Villa)
One of 123 free agents released by Premier League Clubs this year, Super Rob has always stated that at the end of his career, he would like one final year at Arsenal. This would be Arsene Wenger's time to give it to him.
The Frenchman may have lost his pace, but he still has all the calmness and composure that he had when he was at the Club, and there is no questioning his technical ability. Remember that goal against Liverpool during the unbeaten run? Or that audacious chip against Aston Villa that had purists gasping?
The World Cup and European Championship winner would like nothing more than one final swansong season at Emirates Stadium, despite the treatment meted out to him during the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final, which saw him hauled off early when Manuel Almunia was needed to replace the sent-off Jens Lehmann. That turned out to be the elegant Frenchman's last game for the Club.
Probability of Joining Arsenal: Super Rob will take any offer that pertains to joining the Club with both hands, and the fans will surely want him back. He was given an ovation by players and fans alike when he turned out for Villareal during the Champions League 2 seasons ago.
Might see Arsenal As: One Last Hurrah in front of the Gunners faithful. A chance to say good bye to a Club he faithfully served. Would definitely make his career very memorable to both himself and the Arsenal fans. Could pass on his years of experience to the younger players.
Patrick Vieira
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Age: 34
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Current Club: None (Free Agent after seeing out his contract with Manchester City)
Despite the presence of Nigel de Jong, James Milner, Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry in the Citizen's midfield ranks, Patrick Vieira was still able to show Sky Blue fans and manager Roberto Mancini what exactly he was capable of. The 6ft4in former France international put in solid shifts whenever he featured and also chipped in with a goal or two.
Now at the twilight of his career, Vieira has stated that he might retire, but he will be open to contemplating offers from other Clubs. During the FA Cup final and semi-final, many of Vieira's City team mates had said that it was the World Cup winner that inspired them to go all the way and win the trophy.
A player of his calibre is exactly what Arsenal are currently missing. He will be able to pass on his experience to the younger players and after speculation a couple of years ago regarding his return to the Club, bringing another member of the Invincibles wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.
Probability of Joining Arsenal: Big Pat will surely relish a chance to return to the Club and both Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal faithful will be more than happy to have him back, but the midfielder might choose to call it a day on his glittering career, or move back to France for one final spell. He has been touted to join the MLS franchise in the past, and the possibility of him linking up with the likes of Thierry Henry and David Beckham might endear that move to him.
Might see Arsenal As: One last hurrah before he calls it quits and a chance to pass on his experience to the younger players at the Club.
Sol Campbell
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Age: 36
Position: Centre back
Current Club: None (Free Agent after seeing out his contract with Newcastle United)
When Arsenal needed a centre-back to add to the squad as defensive cover, Jeremiah Sulzeer Campbell happened to be training at the Club after an ill-fated spell at then League Two Club Notts County. Arsene Wenger said 'how would you like to play on Saturday' and a few days later, Sol Campbell was back in the Red and White.
The steel he brought to the back four was reminiscent of the one he shared with Kolo Toure during the unbeaten season and defensive partner Thomas Vermaelen waxed lyrical about playing alongside the former England international.
With Arsenal currently unable to find a defensive lynchpin (the Sebastien Squillaci experiment was a failure) Campbell might be just the right man we need. He has said that his wife needs him to stay in London to take care of his first child and a move to North London might be just what the doctor—pun intended—ordered.
Probability of Joining Arsenal: Sol will surely love to return to the Club. There was a marked difference between his performances during his six month spell at Arsenal and when he played for Newcastle United, and that could be down to his love for the Club.
Might see Arsenal As: One last swansong, like Pires and Vieira, and a chance to pass on his experience to the younger squad members while not living too far away from his family.
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