To celebrate Le Professor reaching 15 years as Arsenal boss, we look at some of the highlights in his years at Highbury and the Emirates.
15. Samir Nasri: Marseille, £12m – 2008
Arsene Wenger had been tracking the Frenchman, hailed as ‘the new Zidane’, since he was 17 but had to wait until Nasri was 21 to finally sign him. The midfielder showcased his talents at the Emirates before a controversial £24m transfer to Manchester City last summer.
14. Thomas Vermaelen: Ajax, £10m – 2009
Injury has meant Arsenal fans have only seen one full season of the Belgium defender but all Gunners realise his importance. What could have been if the ‘Verminator’ had stayed fit last season? Hopefully he can put behind his health problems soon and become the leader Arsene Wenger needs.
13. Emmanuel Petit: Monaco, £2.5m – 1997
After Arsene Wenger turned Petit from a centre-back into a defensive midfielder and paired him alongside Patrick Vieira, he inspired Arsenal to the domestic double in his very first season. He was then sold to Barcelona for around £7 million in 2000.
12. Gilberto Silva: Atletico Mineiro, £4.5m – 2002
The ‘Wall’ became the anchor of Arsenal’s midfield and allowed the creative players in the squad to be free and express themselves. Was an integral member of the Invincible team before becoming captain of the club.
11. Wojciech Szczesny: Legia Warsaw, Free – 2009
The Pole could climb higher up this list but, despite not even playing one whole season for the club, has proven he is a top class goalkeeper. At 21, he can become as good as Iker Casillas and as legendary as David Seaman.
10. Freddie Ljungberg: Halmstads, £3m – 1998
Freddie became a hug fan favourite after inspiring the Gunners to their second domestic double during the 2001-02 season. Will forever be remembered for his unbelievable goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
9. Jens Lehmann: Borussia Dortmund, £1.5m – 2003
The charismatic German kept goal for the famous Invincible season of 2003-04 and was the undisputed number until 2008. He was a superb shot-stopper, solid distributor,experienced operator and completely mad.
8. Marc Overmars: Ajax, £6m – 1997
The Dutchman arrived in England and hit the ground running immediately. His fleetness of foot terrorised every defence he came up against before being sold to Barcelona for £25million in 2000.
7. Nicolas Anelka: PSG, £500k – 1997
This was Arsene Wenger’s biggest financial success. Anelka was sold to Real Madrid for £23m after just two seasons. The striker played his best football at Highbury helping Arsenal win their first league title under Le Professor.
6. Robin van Persie: Feyenoord, £3m – 2004
The Dutchman has had his injury problems but recently has shown the world what Arsenal fans already knew. He is pure class! Like Thierry Henry, Arsene Wenger converted him from a winger into one of the world’s best strikers.
5. Robert Pires: Marseille, £6m – 2000
Pires made an indifferent start to his career in England led some pundits to suggest that he would never adapt to the Premier League. Pires proved his pedigree in his second season and went on to win the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 2002.
4. Cesc Fabregas: Barcelona, Free – 2003
Took over from Anelka as Arsene Wenger’s biggest financial success after he was sold back to Barca for £35m last summer. Fabregas was transformed into a world class midfielder by the boss but did not win the silverware his talents deserved.
3. Sol Campbell: Tottenham, Free – 2001
With all Arsene Wenger’s defensive problems, this is a signing that proves the boss does know a good centre-half when he sees it. Campbell filled the hole Tony Adams left and won two Premier League winners’ medals and three FA Cups.
2. Patrick Vieira: AC Milan, £3.5million – 1996
Arsene Wenger’s answer to Roy Keane. Vieira was that man. He was the complete midfielder – could run, pass, dribble, tackle – and was a great leader of men. Sold him to Juventus for £14m in 2005.
1. Thierry Henry: Juventus, £10m – 1999
When he arrived at Highbury from Juventus, some of the game’s observers blinked in horror at the price tag. He was brought into replace Nicolas Anelka and went from pretty useless winger to the world’s best striker and Arsenal’s record goalscorer. Made a £6m profit off him too.