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Arsenal have had a long history of not being able to use the transfer market to their benefit. For much of the 21st century, Arsene Wenger counted on developing young talent at the club rather than going out and spending money on players.
Former players have shown great loyalty to Arsenal over the years, and that has led the club to often count on them in times of need, especially during Arsene Wenger's reign. The Frenchman was not afraid to go after players he had previously signed at the club in order to help improve his team.
With Cristiano Ronaldo making a sensational return to Manchester United, it is time to look at the players who made a return to Arsenal and how they performed for the club. This list will rank players who were re-signed by Arsenal. It does not include players who were signed on a permanent basis after spending a season on loan at the club (like Martin Odegaard). So without further ado, here are the
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Top 4 players Arsenal re-signed
#4 Jens Lehmann (2010-11)
Arsenal had to bring German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann out of retirement in 2011, following injuries to Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone. The Gunners legend had been retired for almost a year before Arsene Wenger requested him to join the club as a back-up for Manuel Almunia.
Luckily for Arsenal, they were never really in a situation where Lehmann would be needed. The former Invincible ended up playing only one game that season in a 3-1 win against Blackpool. Funnily enough, it was his 200th appearance for the club, three years after his departure for the first time. The German went back into retirement following the 2010-11 campaign.
It's fair to say that his second stint at Arsenal was not a successful one, however, the Gunners fans were treated to a final performance from Mad Jens.
#3 Sol Campbell (2010)
Arsenal decided to re-sign an aging Sol Campbell in January 2010, following an injury crisis in defense. The Englishman was without a club for the 2009-2010 season after being released by Notts County earlier that season.
His signing was seen by many as a panic buy by Arsene Wenger, who once again refused to spend money in the transfer market. However, Campbell soon found himself regularly starting for Arsenal, following injuries to the club's first-choice centre-backs.
The English defender even scored for Arsenal against Porto in the UEFA Champions League, before leaving the club as a free agent at the end of the season.
#2 Mathieu Flamini (2013-2016)
Mathieu Flamini left Arsenal for the first time in 2008, signing for AC Milan as a free agent. The Frenchman was in the prime of his career at the time and was loved by Gunners fans for his work-rate and all-action performances.
Following five years at Milan, Flamini became a free-agent and started training with Arsenal in order to keep up his fitness while looking for another club. However, Arsene Wenger decided to offer the Frenchman a deal to bring him back to the club, which the midfielder gladly accepted.
Flamini was instantly a huge hit upon his return to the club, with his performances helping Arsenal finish in the top 4 of the Premier League. He was also part of the Gunners' squad in both the 2014 and 2015 FA Cup finals. He capped off his second stint at the club with a brace against Tottenham Hotspur to knock them out of the 2015-16 League Cup.
Flamini left Arsenal as a free-agent and joined Crystal Palace, although by that point, the Frenchman was reaching the twilight of his career.
#1 Thierry Henry (2012)
After six years away from the club, The King made his fairytale return to Arsenal in January 2012. Thierry Henry had been training with the club during the MLS's off-season, however, Arsene Wenger decided to sign his compatriot in order to help with the second half of the 2011-12 campaign
Henry was brought in as a back-up option to Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh and had an instant impact on his return to the club.
Henry came off the bench against Leeds United in the FA Cup to score the game-winner in trademark fashion, curling the ball around the goalkeeper with his right foot after being found on the left side of the box by Alex Song.
The striker made a few more appearances off the bench after that, but scored another game-winner against Sunderland in the Premier League. Henry left Arsenal at the end of the season and returned to the MLS with the New York Red Bulls.
The Frenchman helped Arsenal finish in the top four for yet another season and took his tally to 175 goals from 254 league games. Henry ended his Arsenal career with 228 goals, adding to his already untouchable legacy at the club.
