Arsene Wenger's French signings: How they fared

The Premier League has witnessed several changes in clubs in the recent past; several managers have come and gone. However, despite their ups and downs, two clubs have stuck to their managers for the last fifteen years: Manchester United and Arsenal. The clubs have shown tremendous faith in them, for two managers have built reputations of ‘making’ world-class players, as opposed to buying them like other teams such as Real Madrid or Manchester City. As a true Arsenal fan, I have plenty to say about Wenger’s class. Most of his players are bought from French clubs or are French by nationality. Some of them have not lived up to expectations, while some have gone on to become club legends. Here is taking a look at how they fared.

Old is ‘Gold’

1. Thierry Henry

Nationality: France

Brought from: Juventus (1999)

Transferred to: Barcelona (2007)

The man who became an Arsenal legend, a figure who the football watching world fell in love, Henry was also the captain of Arsenal after Vieira’s departure. He was the forward commander at Arsenal, for he blossomed into a world class player under Wenger’s management as he became the key anchor of the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles‘ squad. After setting the Premier League on fire at Arsenal, Henry was then transferred to Barcelona for a whopping €24 million. Even though he has hit his twilight days in terms of form now, he still remains a legend of France and Arsenal.

2. Robert Pires

Nationality: France

Brought from: Marseille (2000)

Transferred to: Villarreal (2006)

Robert Pires was another member of the ‘ The Invincibles‘ squad and yet another man who became a club legend during his time. He was a Marseille import who went on to score 62 goals in 189 appearances, incredible statistics for a winger. Pires also won honours with France, for he was a member of the French World Cup winning squad of 1998. He went on to be voted as the sixth greatest Arsenal player of all time.

3. Nicolas Anelka

Nationality: France

Brought from: Paris-Saint German (1997)

Transferred to: Real Madrid (1999)

Nicolas Sebastien Anelka was yet another of Wenger’s French buys. Though he did not become a legend, he scored 36 goals in 65 matches for Arsenal, an impressive stat. He was bought from PSG and became a famous name in the Premier League with Arsenal, for he later moved on to be involved with several top-flight clubs throughout his career. Stints at Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahce, Bolton Wanderers and a return trip to PSG followed, before he finally settled at Chelsea. A player who holds the distinction of winning the Premier League with two different clubs, Anelka no longer belongs to Arsenal, but it is noteworthy that it was his Arsenal stay which brought him fame and riches.

4. Samir Nasri

Nationality: France

Brought from: Marseille (2008)

Transferred to: Manchester City (2011)

Samir Nasri began his career with French club Marseille before he was bought by Arsene Wenger, who transformed him into a club hero. Wenger’s interest in Nasri began right when the player was 17, but little did the manager know that the little genius would form a formidable midfield partnership with Fabregas, Arshavin, Wilshere and Rosicky and become one of Europe’s hottest properties. Nasri then made a big money move to Manchester City for a whopping €20 million and is now a key part of the Mancini project.

5. Gael Clichy

Nationality: France

Brought from: Cannes (2003)

Transferred to: Manchester City(2011)

Gael Clichy was one of the best defenders in Arsenal team. When he left the club, he was the last of ‘The Invincibles‘ squad to leave Arsenal. He possesses incredible stamina that even most forwards in the game lack. He was brought from Cannes on a free transfer, but went on to be a very valuable player in Arsenal’s defence. And when he left the club, he was bought by Manchester City for €7 million, an incredible piece of business.

6. Emmanuel Adebayor

Nationality: Togo

Brought from: Monaco (2006)

Transferred to: Manchester City (2009)

Bought in the year 2006, Adebayor went on to become a goal machine at Arsenal, for he became a feared player in the Premier League. While he has regressed post his Arsenal days, every supporter of his vouches for his talent by talking about his Arsenal stint, for it was so glorious. He became a club favourite due to his goals in the North London Derby, the biggest rivalry in the Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur. He was then sold to Manchester City for €25 million and since then, he has had a loan stint at Real Madrid and is now with Tottenham, the club he so often vanquished during his Arsenal days.

7. Mathieu Flamini

Nationality: France

Brought from: Marseille (2004)

Transferred to: AC Milan (2008)

Mathieu Flamini was bought from Marseille and he went on to become a very talented defensive midfielder, a role role now performed by the Wilshere-Song partnership. He is now with AC Milan, the reigning Italian champions, for Arsenal sold him for €5.6 million.

New Guns

1. Bacary Sagna

Nationality: France

Brought from: Auxerre (2007)

Bacary Sagna’s rise at Arsenal has been so meteoric that today the club are highly reliant on him and cannot play without this great defender. With Sagna injured now, Arsenal are without their best defender, but once he recovers he will get back to being Mr. Reliable and deliver 100 percent for the club every time he steps out.

2. Marouane Chamakh

Nationality: Morocco

Brought from: Bordeaux (2010)

A highly rated player who had a lot of hype surrounding his transfer to Arsenal, Chamakh had a very good first season at the Emirates, for he even scored on debut. However, his form has since dipped and he is now on the sidelines, thanks to Gervinho and Park-Chu-Young having taken his place. Chamakh is fighting to get into the first team and here is hoping he succeeds and regains his form.

3. Gervinho

Nationality: Ivory Coast

Brought from: Lille (2011)

The Ivorian hitman bought from Lille, Gervinho has hit tremendous heights so far in his debut season. He lacks accuracy in shooting, but he has substituted it by assisting Van Persie score some great goals. Now a regular first team starter and a signing already heralded as a great success, Arsenal fans hope to see him get better during the season.

4. Park-Chu-Young

Nationality: South Korea

Brought from: Monaco (2011)

Already a South Korean star, he is yet to become a first-choice player for Arsenal. Park-Chu-Young captained Monaco for two years and is highly rated. Arsenal hope that Wenger’s faith in him is vindicated and he achieves great heights for the club.

5. Laurent Koscielny

Nationality: France

Bought from: Lorient (2010)

Koscielny was bought in 2010 and has steadily improved into a good centre-back for Arsenal. He is now a regular starter and partners summer signing Mertesacker ably. He is the perfect foil for his German partner who lacks pace, which the Frenchman has and backs him with great support, thus maintaining a balance at the back.