With the surprise announcement that Arsene Wenger will be stepping down at the end of the season, it’s important to recognise his vast contribution to English football. He helped to raise standards of fitness and technique, aided by some impressive work in the transfer market, particularly in his early years as Arsenal manager. Here are five of his best signings.
Patrick Vieira
Before Arsene Wenger was officially appointed in September 1996, he was already dictating the club’s transfer policy. Patrick Vieira arrived from AC Milan, where he’d spent much of his time in the reserves, while Bruce Rioch was still in charge. The deal was done with the knowledge that Wenger was on his way. Vieira signed for £3.5million and quickly became the heartbeat of a transformed team.
A rangy, powerful runner, an excellent passer of the ball and an inspirational leader, his midfield partnership with compatriot Emmanuel Petit helped to deliver the double in Wenger’s second season. Vieira took over the captaincy after Tony Adams’ retirement and drove the club on during the Invincibles season. His winning mentality was greatly missed after his departure in the summer of 2005.
Thierry Henry
Arguably the most outstanding player of the Premier League era, Thierry Henry was almost untouchable for several years. A winger converted into a striker after signing from Juventus in 1999, he went on to redefine our understanding of a centre forward’s role. Often drifting out wide to receive the ball, before cutting back inside to devastating effect, he contributed almost as many assists as goals.
Lightning quick and a graceful dribbler, he eased past defenders and had an unrivalled knack for finding the bottom corner. Henry developed a great understanding with Dennis Bergkamp and overtook Ian Wright to become the club’s record goalscorer. The Frenchman did so with great style and finesse. He was incredibly consistent, notching 30 or more goals in all competitions for five consecutive seasons.
Sol Campbell
A controversial move on a free transfer from local rivals Tottenham Hotspur all but severed Sol Campbell’s relationship with the club where he’d made his breakthrough. He left in the summer of 2001, and despite being subject to plenty of abuse in the years that followed, he proved that it was the right decision by becoming a lynchpin of an Arsenal side that won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
A truly world-class centre back with great reading of the game, physical strength and competitive spirit, Campbell forged impressive partnerships with Martin Keown and then Kolo Toure that were integral to the club’s success. He also scored Arsenal’s goal and defended manfully in a narrow defeat to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final.
Gilberto Silva
The Brazilian joined Arsenal for £4.5million in August 2002, a bargain fee for someone who had just won the World Cup. An understated holding midfielder who broke up play and kept the ball moving, Gilberto Silva didn’t always get the credit he deserved. Although far from being one of Arsene Wenger’s most exciting signings, he was undoubtedly one of the most important. His discipline and tactical awareness allowed other, more attacking players to thrive.
As a second-half substitute he scored the winner on his debut, a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield. Although finishing wasn’t his forte, this goal delivered the first of five trophies during his time with Arsenal. A model professional, and a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room, he was a key component of the club’s unbeaten season.
Cesc Fabregas
A footballer in the purest sense, the imprint of Cesc Fabregas’ education at Barcelona was obvious from the start. He left because of concerns that his path to the first team would be blocked by more established players, and his decision to do so was soon justified. He made his debut for Arsenal as a 16-year-old, becoming the club’s youngest ever player.
Arsene Wenger felt sufficiently emboldened by the Spanish midfielder’s promise to let Patrick Vieira leave and build his team around Fabregas instead. One of the best and most perceptive passers in the Premier League, he embraced this responsibility, going on to become captain in his final three years at the club. The trophyless run that they endured owed much to weaknesses elsewhere in the squad that Fabregas and others were unable to compensate for.
