6 times Wenger said Arsenal wouldn't sell a player but sold him anyway

3) Emmanuel Adebayor - 2009

Emmanuel Adebayor spent four seasons at Arsenal

Following the dismantling of the Invincibles squad , Wenger chose a different route and almost the entire squad evolved from physically superior specimens to more technical players. The average height of the squad also diminished as Wenger's philosophy of keeping possession took over.

However, Wenger still had an ace in the hole with a beast of a player leading the line. The 6'3" striker from Togo was pretty much Wenger's answer to Chelsea's Didier Drogba. Adebayor was even named the African Footballer of the Year in 2008 after a tremendous season where he had scored 30 goals for the Gunners (including 24 in the Premier League).

That was the year Manchester City decided to spend their millions to rebuild the squad and compete. Adebayor's head was turned by the pay package and there was no way a financially burdened Arsenal could compete with City's wages.

"If he does not want to stay, he will leave. But I think that he will be still at Arsenal this season." - Wenger in July 2009

Adebayor's loyalty wasn't as strong as Wenger imagined and a fortnight later he put pen to paper at City in a deal worth £25m.

Sadly, he never lived up to that potential ever again and even angered Arsenal fans with a goal celebration that incited violence in the stands - leading to a two-game ban and £25,000 fine.