5 captains that Arsenal have sold in 9 years

Arsenal have a history of letting their skippers leave the club, and with the recent transfer of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona meant that he was the fifth Arsenal captain over the period of nine years to have been sold.In this slideshow, we take a look at those five captains:

#1 Patrick Vieira

Playing years: 1996 – 2005 (279 appearances)

Patrick Vieira was named as captain for the Gunners in 2002 as a successor to long-serving captain Tony Adams who was retiring from professional football. "Taking the responsibility on my shoulders is something I relish. It will make me a better, more mature footballer and a more mature person as well,” he said after he was handed the captain’s arm band.

Vieira went on to become one of the club’s greatest players, helping them win three Premier League titles. four FA Cups and four Community Shield. However, given his improved stature in the transfer market, offers started coming in for the Senegal star.

It was in 2005 when he ultimately moved away from the club, joining Juventus after signing a five-year contract with the Italian side at the age of 29. As Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger explained, Vieira’s departure was utterly a move to fit then-young starlet Cesc Fabregas into the team. "When Cesc Fàbregas was 18, 19, I would play him in a 4–4–2 with Patrick Vieira and I saw it did not work,” Wenger said. “Then I had the decision to make about letting Patrick go, because Gilberto Silva and Vieira worked, Fabregas and Silva worked, but I could not play Fàbregas and Vieira. But Fàbregas was 19 and if he did not play I knew he would want to go, so we risked destroying everything, all the work we had put into this player."

#2 Thierry Henry

Playing years: 1999 – 2007 (254 appearances)

One of the most loved and respected players among the Gunners, Thierry Henry’s influence at Arsenal was a remarkable one. It was at Arsenal where the Frenchman developed on to become the league’s best striker, gaining massive world wide fame. During his stay at the club, Henry led Arsenal to their two Premier League, three FA Cup and two Community Shield victories. He was named the club captain during his final two seasons in the Red and White shirt after the departure of Patrick Vieira.

His move to Barcelona in 2007 at the age of 29 was somewhat of a blow for the fans, as it was the last thing that they had expected. Following the transfer, Henry revealed that the departure of then-vice-chairman David Dein, who had recruited him in the first place, was the reason behind his move. "I always said that if I ever left Arsenal it would be to play for Barcelona," he said.

#3 Cesc Fabregas

Playing years:2003 2011 (212 appearances)

Starting his career at Barcelona,Cesc Fabregas went on to move to Arsenal at the age of 16, and then soon became the clubs youngest first team player, and goalscorer. Following the transfer of then-captain William Gallas, Fabregas was asked to step in and assume his role at the age of 21. Despite being a consistent player for the club amidst several injuries, Fabregas career at Arsenal didnt see him winning a lot of silverware, the 2005 FA Cup and 2004 Community Shield being the only two trophies.

It was during the 2010-11 season when speculations started over his future at the club, which finally led to his transfer to his boyhood club, Barcelona in 2011."We have been clear that we didn't want Cesc to leave and that remains the case. However, we understand Cesc's desire to move to his home town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona. We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success," said Wenger following his transfer.

#4 Robin van Persie

Playing years: 2003 – 2011 (212 appearances)

Unlike the other four players in the list, Robin van Persie is still despised by the fans after his move to Manchester United in 2012. Following the departure of Cesc Fabregas, he was appointed as club captain, eventually becoming one of the club favourites. His move to rival-club Manchester United in 2012 was met with heavy criticism from supporters, and was even considered a traitor.

"I always listen to the little boy inside of me in these situations – when you have to make the harder decisions in life. What does he want? That boy was screaming for Man United," he explained his move.

#5 Thomas Vermaelen

Playing years: 2009 – 2014 (110 appearances)

The latest captain to leave the club, Thomas Vermaelen’s move to Barcelona was confirmed this week after he completed his move for an undisclosed fee. A product of Ajax, Vermaelen moved to Arsenal five years ago, forming a commendable central defence partnership with William Gallas. His brilliant performance for the Gunners earned him the captain’s arm-band following van Persie’s departure from the club.

However, he fell out of favour with manager Arsene Wenger due to his inconsistent performance on the pitch, finding himself spending most of the time on the bench behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, which finally triggered his move to the Catalan club.