Wenger Hit No.2
3. Thierry Daniel Henry
Thierry Henry had earlier played for Arsene Wenger during Wenger's stint in Monaco. He was a left winger during those times. Later he reunited with Wenger during 1999 season for a fee of £10million. Thierry Henry was bought as a replacement for the French forward who left Arsenal. Yes, the guess is right. It was Nicolas Anelka. Wenger understood that Henry was more fit to be a striker than a winger. This time around Arsene Wenger's plan was set and Henry eventually moved to the striking role where he excelled partnering with few world class strikers in the years to come. Henry was a slow starter at Arsenal. He managed to score only on his 9 appearance. 2002-03 was a tremendous season for Henry where he scored 32 goals and provided the team with 23 assists to wrap up. There is nothing much to written about this guy who had been the icon of Gunners camp for few years. Henry had remarkable achievements as a player. Only player to win consecutive golden boot. Most number of goals for Arsenal. Most number of goals in Europe and much more. Eventhough Henry committed his life to Arsenal during an injury hit 2006-07 season, he found himself in Barcelona training room for £24million. Arsene Wenger believed that eventhough it was good for Henry to stay but for club to move on and stop depending on one player this sale had to be made. Henry always told if he is move from Arsenal it would be for Barcelona. He is never considered to be as successful for France as he was for clubs he played for. People often criticized him for his club minded nature. He had scored 174 goals during the 254 appearances he made for Arsenal. Henry was voted Arsenal best player ever later.
Clubs Played For:
1. Monaco
2. Juventus
3. Arsenal
4. Barcelona
Wenger Flop No.2
4. Robert Emmanuel Pires
Pires as he is widely known had a history of showing thumbs down on clubs before joining Arsenal. Remember the fact that he had joined Arsenal after a personal boycott of his previous club Marseille. But his natural attacking game takes of all these thoughts from us. He was signed for Arsenal for a fee of £6million. He came in to Arsenal as a replacement for the void left by Marc Overmars when he moved to Barcelona. Pires led the premiership assist charts and also won the player of the season award during 2001-02 season eventhough he didn't play the last two months of the season due to injury. Pires was the architect of many Arsenal goals throughout his Arsenal career. He also scored goals with no mercy. Towards the end of Arsenal career he often found himself in Arsenal bench. He was best winger Arsenal ever had who scored more goals than all other players except Henry. He often was listed in Premiership top scorer charts. Once he even made up to No.3 spot where Henry was No.1. He also had the highest number of assists in most of the season's he played. His track record never helped in towards later stages of his career at Emirates where Hleb, Ljunberg and Reyes was more preferred. He felt annoyed when he was substituted in the Champions League final with Barcelona. Later this led to the spats with Wenger and Pires never managed to get the contract extension. It was also a big loss for Arsenal financially. Pires moved to Villareal as a free agent. During his departure he said that it hurt him that Wenger lost trust in his abilities which led him to move on. He was substituted in 12mins from start where he wanted to play full game. Eventhough this keeps happening in all footballers career, he couldn't take it. Pires also had an highly successful and remarkable International career with French national team which most of the top class club players struggle to attain. He scored 62 goals during his 189 appearances for Arsenal. He was voted 7th in the Arsenal all time greats which is a wonderful accomplishment.
Clubs Player For:
1. Metz
2. Marseille
3. Arsenal
4. Villareal
Watch out for next Wenger hits & flops in coming days.
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