Wenger’s Top Arsenal Signings – Part 3
Sol Campbell
The English international, Sol Campbell plays as central defender for Arsenal. The Tall defender was signed from Tottenham for free in 2001, where Campbell was the captain and an accomplished central defender.
In the first season he played with Arsenal; and was immediately successful, Arsenal winning the double. Soon after his inclusion, he started to make a marked difference and became very popular with the fans as well. Campbell was
part of Arsenal’s ‘invincible’, where he had formed a partnership with Kolo Toure. In his tenure of 5 years at Arsenal, he played 135 matches, and scored in 8. However, after leaving the club for Portsmouth, he joined Arsenal again in 2010, to play 10 matches.
After his second stint at Arsenal, Wenger appreciated his services and said that “I respect Sol highly because last year when we had a difficult patch he was completely committed and he was our best player in some games. I will
always respect him for the help he brought to us.”
Marc Overmars
The Dutch international, Marc Overmars was predominantly a right-footed, left winger. Also known as “roadrunner”, he was renowned for his pace. Wenger signed Marc Overmars in 1997, from Ajax for a transfer fee of 5m GBP. Before
coming to Arsenal, Overmars had proved his credentials, while playing with Ajax, where he won Champions League in 1995. His skill was exceptional, and was reputed as a flying winger.
After his inclusion in the Squad, soon he justified his transfer. With breakneck speed, he was a constant threat to the defenders. This rare talent was equally strong on both feet, and this was troublesome for the opposition. During
his 3 years career with Arsenal, he played 101 matches and scored 25 goals. It was truly great for a winger to score in almost every fourth match. Wenger pocketed a large sum when he sold Overmars to Barcelona in the summer of 2000 for 25m GBP.
Recently, Marc Overmars expressed his intention that he would love to work for Wenger to help Arsenal build up. He quoted “When people ask me which memories you have with Ajax, Barcelona and Arsenal, I have to say one Club I feel
at home and it is Arsenal. If they ask me to do something, I would love too.”
Andrei Arshavin
Russian Andrei Arshavin arrived at Emirates Stadium in the season of 2008/09 from Zenit, where he played for 9 years. Wenger waited for long for his transfer, and eventually he became a part of Arsenal’s glory. Arshavin instantly
proved his worth and made a huge difference to the Arsenal Side. Wenger justified taking on Arshavin saying that “he is an experienced player, 27, a good age and we are a very young side.” Arshavin’s ability to play at different positions and skilled ability
to eye for the goal gave Arsenal’s game a new dimension. He is among the rare players in the Gunners team, who can take a long ball shoot with some perfection.
Tags: