Signings of Arsenal Past, Present, & Future

2008-09 Season - A.K.A. The Year Gallas Was A Prick

Andrei Arshavin - £15 million
Apps - 144
Goals - 31
Assists - 46

Scored what were voted as the fifth and ninth best goals of our history, and was the subject of love-hate relationships throughout our fanbase. For all of his miserable laziness, he would provide one little moment of magic that would change the game. However, as his time at Arsenal went on, those moments started disappearing, leaving a chubby little Russian bloke walking around the pitch nonchalantly doing nothing to contribute to the team. Ultimately a failure, and went to Zenit on a free after a spell on loan there.

Other notable signings - $amir Na$ri, Aaron Ramsey, Mikaël Silvestre

2009-10 Season - A.K.A. The Year We Won The Barclays Fair Play Award

Thomas Vermaelen - £10 million
Apps - 150
Goals - 15
Assists - 6

A good signing for the price, and very prolific at first thanks to his constant wanderings up the field. However it's these same adventures that have cost him many times, and he's been rightly pushed out of the side by the dominance of Mertescielny. He's our captain, although no one really knows why. I hope he doesn't leave this summer, as he's a solid back-up, but if he does we'll definitely be able to replace him.

Other notable signings - Sol Campbell 2.0

2010-11 Season - A.K.A. The Year We Threw Away The League Cup Final

Laurent Koscielny - £8.5 million
Apps - 165
Goals - 13
Assists - 4

Came in as a relatively unknown Ligue 2 centre back, and began playing like one, but he eventually formed half of the best defensive partnership in the league. Brilliant work by Wenger here.

Other notable signings - Marouane Chamakh, Sébastien Squillaci, Ryo Miyaichi, Wellington, Jens Lehmann 2.0

2011-12 Season - A.K.A. The Year We Sold Cesc

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - £12 million
Apps - 79
Goals - 9
Assists - 14

Yet to fully prove himself, but he's still only 20 years of age. After the disappointing injury last year, this upcoming season is important for him to show what he is capable of. Very exciting prospect, and certainly one for the future.

Other notable signings - Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Gervinho, André Santos, Park Chu-Young, Carl Jenkinson, Joel Campbell, Hector Bellerin

2012-13 Season - A.K.A. The Year We Lost A Grown Man With A Little Boy Inside Of Him

Santi Cazorla - £15 million
Apps - 95
Goals - 19
Assists - 23

What a steal. His goal changed the F.A Cup Final, and for that alone I will always love this man.

Other notable signings - Oliver "Monsieur Bangalot" Giroud, Lukas Podolski, Nacho Monreal