Arsenal’s 10 Best Signings Ever Under Arsene Wenger

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2. Patrick Vieira

This was not easy. The top two on this list are separated by a toenail. And not one of those hulking big-toe toenails. The separation is by that of a pinky toenail.

Arsenal FC

But enough about toenails. I had Patrick Vieira at No. 1 for quite some time but the more I stared at the new No. 1’s name, the more I felt dirty and scandalous.

Patrick Vieira is special because he arrived at Arsenal right as Wenger did. He revealed that he came to the club solely because of Arsene Wenger getting ready to take over. The 1996 transfer was completed for just £3.5 million. And a legend was born.

Patrick Vieira spent nine seasons at Arsenal, amassing 406 appearances for the club. He captained them through the strongest period the club has ever had and unlike captains in today’s Arsenal, he was directly responsible for that success. Vieira was a bruiser in the middle of the pitch, establishing Arsenal as one of the most physical teams in the world.

That mantra was carried for as long as he was at the club, up until the moment he left for Juventus in 2005 for £13.75 million. Not a bad turnaround for profit. Needless to say, Vieira spent his best days at Arsenal and rumor has it he will make his way to North London to coach at some point.

Finally number one. Careful, it may be Kim Kallstrom.

Next: Number 1