Greatest foreign Arsenal XI of all time

Some big names make it to the Arsenal foreign XI, while some miss out
Some big names make it to the Arsenal foreign XI, while some miss out

LW: Thierry Henry

Henry is Arsenal's all time top-scorer
Henry is Arsenal's all time top-scorer

The King of Highbury, the greatest player in Arsenal's history, is also their best foreign import. Thierry Henry arrived from Juventus in 1999 for a fee of €16m with hardly half the reputation he built in his time with the Gunners.

Representing Arsenal for eight years, he buried the ball in the back of the net for a grand total of 228 times. A complete forward, the Frenchman was known for distracting defenders and playing the perfect disguise to help his teammates finish. He even laid out 127 assists while playing as a centre-forward and on the wings.

Henry is arguably the greatest player to never win the Ballon d'Or, having made the podium twice in 2003 and 2006. But there is no shortage of silverware in his trophy cabinet. France's top scorer boasts a World Cup, two Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, and one apiece of the Champions League and Euro Championship.

The lethal forward was famed for his blistering pace and impeccable finishing ability. He won the Premier League Golden Boat award a record four times.

Special Mention: Robert Pires


ST/False 9: Dennis Bergkamp

Bergkamp clicked in the Arsenal v Manchester United game
Bergkamp clicked in the Arsenal v Manchester United game

The Gunners celebrated three Premier League triumphs and four FA Cup glories between Dennis Bergkamp's arrival and exit at Arsenal. A period of precisely 11 years. He arrived as the club's record-signing worth £7.5m and changed the identity of the Gunners. They were no longer the "boring, boring Arsenal."

With Bergkamp in their ranks, the team gained flair, a cutting edge and an aesthetic beauty that personified what is meant by poetry in motion. The Dutchman's Arsenal career took a while to kick off. After 10 hours of play without getting on the scoresheet, the gamble had not paid off, it seemed.

But time has a fair way of rewarding those who stay patient. The goal came, the quality started flowing and the magician came alive. He took to the field for Arsenal a total of 410 times, scoring on 113 occasions and providing the assist on 93.

His ability to play on the half-turn and the positional sense of occupying pockets between the defence's lines was unmatched. Then, with utmost effortlessness, he would move the ball to the destined target with one touch.

It could be argued that Bergkamp's arrival opened the gateway for all the big names that were signed by Arsenal. By all means, go ahead and treat yourself to a montage of the Dutchman's most magical moments on the field.


RW: Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League

Robert Pires had a strike rate of 0.51 goal contributions per match during his time at Arsenal. Marc Overmars had a strike rate of 0.49 goal contributions per game. Their contributions to the Arsenal team that won the double in 1998 and 2002 respectively were considerable.

But it's very difficult to look beyond Alexis Sanchez when it comes to finding a winger who arrived from foreign territory and left his mark so convincingly. The Chilean brought his very best to the Emirates and faded away in a click after leaving.

In his 166 appearances for the Gunners, Sanchez scored 80 times and notched up a further 45 assists. That's 0.75 goal contributions per game. A combination of skills and tricks married to an energetic style of playing became the forward's trademark. The Chilean played high intensity football from the very first day.

He scored and assisted in the FA Cup final win against Aston Villa in 2015. Sanchez haunted Chelsea in the FA Cup final in 2017, scoring the all-important goal in the 2-1 victory. It wouldn't be wrong to say that on many occasions he single-handedly carried a team which otherwise lacked attacking threat.

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Edited by Shourjo Chatterjee
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