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The transfer dealings of Arsenal Football Club have, at times, shocked fans and pundits alike.
The North London side used to be one of the biggest clubs in the world during the reign of Arsenal Wenger. Arsenal has, however, lost its stature in recent years. Despite being part of the so-called 'top six' in the Premier League and making big-name signings from time to time, Arsenal is not the club it once was.
Since the club made the move to the Emirates Stadium in the 2006-07 season, Arsenal have primarily been a 'selling club'. They develop players into top-quality footballers before selling them to bigger teams for massive profits.
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The club have been able to pull off some impressive transfers in the 'Emirates era' such as the signings of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, and Thomas Partey.
However, they have also made some poor signings in recent years. On that note, we look at 5 Arsenal transfers that came out of nowhere.
#5 Kim Kallstrom
Arsenal signed Swedish midfielder Kim Kallstrom on loan from Spartak Moscow in January for the second half of the 2013-14 season. The Gunners were missing a number of midfielders through injury and signed Kallstrom on the final day of the transfer window out of desperation.
A back injury was discovered during Kallstrom's medical with Arsenal. The club, however, decided to go ahead with the transfer and allowed the player to do his rehabilitation in North London.
Kallstrom went on to make just four appearances in all competitions for the Gunners and is widely regarded as one of the worst signings in the club's history.
#4 Andre Santos
Arsenal were desperate to sign a left-back after Gael Clichy left the Gunners to join Manchester City in the summer of 2011. On the final day of the transfer window, Arsenal signed Brazilian left-back Andre Santos from Fenerbache in a deal worth €7 million.
Santos made just 33 appearances in two seasons for the Gunners before being sold to Gremio. The Brazilian is best remembered for swapping shirts with former Arsenal star Robin van Persie at half-time during a game against Manchester United.
#3 Mikael Silvestre
Former Manchester United star Mikael Silvestre was heavily tipped to join cross-town rivals Manchester City in the summer of 2008. The Frenchman was undergoing a medical at Manchester City when he received a call from Arsene Wenger.
Following a conversation with the Arsenal boss, Silvestre opted to join the Gunners instead of Manchester United's arch-rivals that summer. The French defender was well past his prime and managed to make just 40 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal in his two seasons at the club.
#2 Park Chu-young
In the summer of 2011, Arsenal hijacked Lille's move to sign Park Chu-young from AS Monaco. The South Korean was impressive during his three years with the French club, scoring 26 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions.
Park Chu-young was handed the number 9 shirt at Arsenal. During his three years at Arsenal, the South Korean spent two years on loan at Celta Vigo and Watford. He managed to make just seven appearances in all competitions for the North London club before being released in 2014.
#1 Dennis Suarez
Arsenal have made a habit of signing young talents in the January transfer window in recent years. Arsenal signed Dennis Suarez in January of 2019 from Barcelona in the hope that he would be able to rejuvenate his career with the Gunners.
The Spanish midfielder joined Arsenal with a weight of expectations on his shoulders after putting in a number of impressive performances for Barcelona. His time at Arsenal, however, was blighted by injuries. The Spaniard managed to make just 6 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal before returning to Barcelona.
