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In Pictures: The great players Arsene Wenger has let leave Arsenal - and what happened next
21 May 2010 09:55:00
By Graham Lister & Adithya Ananth
Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City -- July 2009 -- £25m)
Given his attitude most Gooners were glad to see him go.
Nicolas Anelka (Real Madrid -- 1999 -- £22.5m)
Another whose exit was bitter, though lucrative for the Gunners and also the catalyst to Henry's arrival. After unhappy spells at several clubs, he seems to have found his home at Chelsea.
Sol Campbell (Portsmouth -- August 2006)
His departure was strange and somewhat messy, but despite winning the FA Cup with Portsmouth he has admitted himself - since returning to Arsenal in January - that he never should have left.
Ashley Cole (Chelsea -- August 2006 -- £5m plus William Gallas)
Left Arsenal amid much acrimony but while his popularity has plunged, his form and medal haul have continued to rise impressively.
Mathieu Flamini (AC Milan -- May 2008)
Had become a key member of the Arsenal midfield at the time he insisted on leaving for Milan. His career has arguably gone sideways, or even backwards, with the Rossoneri.
Thierry Henry (Barcelona -- June 2007 -- £20.8m)
Arguably the most iconic Arsenal player of the Wenger era, he's won plenty of medals at Barcelona but been somewhat peripheral to their success, unlike at Arsenal where he was central to it and at the peak of his powers.
Alexander Hleb (Barcelona -- July 2008 -- £13m)
Like Flamini, was enjoying his best form in the Arsenal midfield. Left in haste for Barcelona, and has been repenting at leisure ever since, admitting he should have stayed.
Marc Overmars (Barcelona -- 2000 -- £25m)
Fulfilled an ambition when joining Barcelona, but Arsenal enjoyed his best years.
Emmanuel Petit (Barcelona -- 2000 -- £7m)
Left to join Barca and said they were so much bigger than Arsenal, but his career bombed at Camp Nou and he was soon glad to return to England where he gave useful service to Chelsea without ever recapturing the glory he enjoyed as a Gunner.
Robert Pires (Villarreal -- May 2006)
Most Gooners felt he should have been offered the two-year deal he wanted to stay, and his experience could have helped the kids. But Arsenal certainly got the best of him.
Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos -- July 2008 -- undisclosed fee)
Scored the first goal for the club at the Emirates Stadium, and even became vice-captain of the north London outfit. Eventually left to ply his trade in Greece.
Kolo Toure (Manchester City -- July 2009 -- £12m)
Left to join the Manchester City project - but Arsenal got several years' excellent service out of him, and on balance came out ahead on the deal.
Patrick Vieira (Juventus -- July 2005 -- £18m)
By the time he left Highbury he'd passed his peak - and although he won Serie A titles in each of his years in Italy, he was never the dominant force he'd been at Arsenal.
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Given his attitude most Gooners were glad to see him go.
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Another whose exit was bitter, though lucrative for the Gunners and also the catalyst to Henry's arrival. After unhappy spells at several clubs, he seems to have found his home at Chelsea.
Sol Campbell (Portsmouth -- August 2006)
His departure was strange and somewhat messy, but despite winning the FA Cup with Portsmouth he has admitted himself - since returning to Arsenal in January - that he never should have left.
Ashley Cole (Chelsea -- August 2006 -- £5m plus William Gallas)
Left Arsenal amid much acrimony but while his popularity has plunged, his form and medal haul have continued to rise impressively.
Mathieu Flamini (AC Milan -- May 2008)
Had become a key member of the Arsenal midfield at the time he insisted on leaving for Milan. His career has arguably gone sideways, or even backwards, with the Rossoneri.
Thierry Henry (Barcelona -- June 2007 -- £20.8m)
Arguably the most iconic Arsenal player of the Wenger era, he's won plenty of medals at Barcelona but been somewhat peripheral to their success, unlike at Arsenal where he was central to it and at the peak of his powers.
Alexander Hleb (Barcelona -- July 2008 -- £13m)
Like Flamini, was enjoying his best form in the Arsenal midfield. Left in haste for Barcelona, and has been repenting at leisure ever since, admitting he should have stayed.
Marc Overmars (Barcelona -- 2000 -- £25m)
Fulfilled an ambition when joining Barcelona, but Arsenal enjoyed his best years.
Emmanuel Petit (Barcelona -- 2000 -- £7m)
Left to join Barca and said they were so much bigger than Arsenal, but his career bombed at Camp Nou and he was soon glad to return to England where he gave useful service to Chelsea without ever recapturing the glory he enjoyed as a Gunner.
Robert Pires (Villarreal -- May 2006)
Most Gooners felt he should have been offered the two-year deal he wanted to stay, and his experience could have helped the kids. But Arsenal certainly got the best of him.
Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos -- July 2008 -- undisclosed fee)
Scored the first goal for the club at the Emirates Stadium, and even became vice-captain of the north London outfit. Eventually left to ply his trade in Greece.
Kolo Toure (Manchester City -- July 2009 -- £12m)
Left to join the Manchester City project - but Arsenal got several years' excellent service out of him, and on balance came out ahead on the deal.
Patrick Vieira (Juventus -- July 2005 -- £18m)
By the time he left Highbury he'd passed his peak - and although he won Serie A titles in each of his years in Italy, he was never the dominant force he'd been at Arsenal.
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Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 21 May 2010 to 22 May 2010
Poll runs from 21 May 2010 to 22 May 2010
Now that Cesc Fabregas wants to go to Barcelona, should Arsenal force him to stay?
No, having a captain who wants out would be too demoralising for players and/or fans.
36.57%
Definitely - the club and player have a contract and he is needed.
33.33%
Maybe - if the final offer is less than half-way between each club's valuation.
24.08%
Other
6.02%
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