Arsenal’s 10 Best Signings Ever Under Arsene Wenger

View image | gettyimages.com

8. Robin van Persie

I hear the boos and hisses. Robin van Persie, the Flying Dutchman. He was the man that made this team tick during his time. Yet, given the lack of direction that he saw from Arsene Wenger, he left. But not before making Wenger a massive profit and keeping Arsenal relevant during the Emirates years.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Robin van Persie was 21 years old when he joined Arsenal as a winger for the fee of £2.75 million. Playing behind Thierry Henry was clearly beneficial to the Dutchman, as he learned how to take those skills as a winger and turn into one of the best strikers out there.

After Henry left, van Persie became the go-to striker and he would live up to the heaping expectations that Henry left behind. However, the common theme of Arsenal struck and van Persie was sidelined for a big chunk of the year. He ended up making just 23 appearances, scoring nine times.

After that year, the Dutchman took flight. He scored 89 goals in his next 144 matches for Arsenal across a four year span. Pretty impressive.

And then he left. For a fee of what turned out to be £24 million. And Arsenal is doing just fine.

Next up, keep those boos and hisses coming.

Next: Number 7