How the Gunners are feeding Catalan Giants for more than a Decade?
As the transfer of Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal to Barcelona has been announced, we look at the history of transfers which happened between these two clubs. In fact, both of these clubs have been engaged in successful business for more than a decade now. In majority of these transfers, it’s FC Barcelona who enjoyed greater success in terms of getting star players. But Arsenal got much more profit in terms of transfer fees from Barcelona than any other club. Lets look at top 5 players who played for both these European Giants.
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Marc Overmars
Arsenal FC have always enjoyed Dutch Players in their ranks. And one of the very finest of those is Overmars. He was one of the first signings which Arsene Wenger made in the start of his historic career at the North London side. And this signing will always remain in one of his very successful businesses. In his first season, he played an integral part in helping Arsenal to win Barclays Premier League. Overmars scored 12 goals in that season for the Gunners. He was bought from Ajax for a fee of £5.5 Million. And when Barcelona came calling for the Winger for an astounding fee of £40 Million, Arsenal meant business. He was sold to Barcelona where he could never live up to his expectation.
Emmanuel Petit
The French defensive midfielder joined Arsenal in the very season when Overmars did. He was also the part of double winning campaign in 1997-98 season. He was a key midfielder along with Patrick Viera. It’s interesting how Petit and Overmars shared a same fate. Both left for Barcelona in the same year and both turned out to be flops in Catalan side.
The French defensive midfielder joined Arsenal in the very season when Overmars did. He was also the part of double winning campaign in 1997-98 season. He was a key midfielder along with Patrick Viera. It’s interesting how Petit and Overmars shared a same fate. Both left for Barcelona in the same year and both turned out to be flops in Catalan side.
Thierry Henry
Unarguably the best jewel which FC Barcelona got from Arsenal, Henry is one of all-time greats who appeared for the Arsenal shirt. The French striker enjoyed a historic campaign with the Gunners. He was one of the top strikers which ever featured in English Premier League. He scored historic 174 goals for North London side. After the end of his 8 year career with Arsenal, Henry joined Barcelona. He won his first Champions League there along with several other silverwares. However it can be said that unlike of all the other transfer that has been mentioned here, Arsenal offloaded this player after getting the most out of him.
Unarguably the best jewel which FC Barcelona got from Arsenal, Henry is one of all-time greats who appeared for the Arsenal shirt. The French striker enjoyed a historic campaign with the Gunners. He was one of the top strikers which ever featured in English Premier League. He scored historic 174 goals for North London side. After the end of his 8 year career with Arsenal, Henry joined Barcelona. He won his first Champions League there along with several other silverwares. However it can be said that unlike of all the other transfer that has been mentioned here, Arsenal offloaded this player after getting the most out of him.
When Henry joined Barcelona for a fee of around 24million pounds, he had already won 2 Premier Leagues, 3 FA Cups and 2 Community Shields with Arsenal.
Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas is yet another Arsenal Captain who joined Barcelona. He was fan favourite during his time at Emirates. Cesc arrived from Barcelona’s academy and his heart always remained there. He won only one title with the Gunners and when Barcelona made an approach to sign the Spaniard, Fabregas shown no hesitations whatsoever. He joined Barcelona for £25 Million. However, after spending 3 seasons at Nou Camp, he is back on English soil and joined Chelsea.
Fabregas is yet another Arsenal Captain who joined Barcelona. He was fan favourite during his time at Emirates. Cesc arrived from Barcelona’s academy and his heart always remained there. He won only one title with the Gunners and when Barcelona made an approach to sign the Spaniard, Fabregas shown no hesitations whatsoever. He joined Barcelona for £25 Million. However, after spending 3 seasons at Nou Camp, he is back on English soil and joined Chelsea.
Alex Song:
Song was never a fan favourite during his first few seasons at Emirates. But in his final season, he was a star turn in the team. He was the star performer for Arsene Wenger having provided 11 assists in that season. So just when the fans thought Song will help them to land some silver-ware, he ditched them and left for Barcelona after joining Spanish Giants for a fee of around £15 Million. Maybe he wasn’t the most successful player for Barcelona, but he surely made a good profit for Arsene Wenger.
Song was never a fan favourite during his first few seasons at Emirates. But in his final season, he was a star turn in the team. He was the star performer for Arsene Wenger having provided 11 assists in that season. So just when the fans thought Song will help them to land some silver-ware, he ditched them and left for Barcelona after joining Spanish Giants for a fee of around £15 Million. Maybe he wasn’t the most successful player for Barcelona, but he surely made a good profit for Arsene Wenger.
Conclusion:
Having a depressing decade behind now, Arsenal have suddenly entered into an era of greater economic dominance. Players like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are choosing gunners as their destination and with Sami Khedira being a likely new recruit for the North London side, it can be said that the reversible cycle has returned as far as the reds are concerned.
Having a depressing decade behind now, Arsenal have suddenly entered into an era of greater economic dominance. Players like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are choosing gunners as their destination and with Sami Khedira being a likely new recruit for the North London side, it can be said that the reversible cycle has returned as far as the reds are concerned.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
nice article!
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