Top 5 best French Arsenal players

While Arsenal have always had a way with French players, some of those became true greats of the game during their time at Highbury.

As an English football club, they have been synonymous with Gallic flair under the management of Arsene Wenger.

Highbury was where Arsenal had the most fun. Since Wenger took over as manager in 1996, the Gunners have been able to call upon the services of a number of brilliant French players. Some shone while others didn’t. Those who did shine however, became part of the club’s history.

5. Bacary Sagna

On 12 July 2007, Sagna completed a move to Arsenal from Auxerre for an undisclosed fee, thought to have been an initial €9 million that could have risen to €11 million. He was given the number 3 shirt, previously worn by former defender Ashley Cole. Sagna made his debut for Arsenal on 19 July 2007. Named once in the PFA Team of the Year, Sagna was unlucky to never have won the league with the Gunners.

4. William Gallas

In September 2006, Gallas transferred to Arsenal as part of a deal that brought Ashley Cole to Chelsea. He signed a four-year contract with Arsenal, where he took the number 10 shirt vacated by the recently retired Dennis Bergkamp. Gallas made his full debut for the Gunners at left-back against Middlesbrough on 9 September 2006. Eventually, he tarnished his reputation by leaving for arch city rival Tottenham in 2010, before retiring three years later.

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3. Robert Pires

Pires was signed by Arsenal in 2000, after they beat stiff competition from Real Madrid and Juventus. Initially, Pires’ form was indifferent, and some people criticised him after his comments that the English game was too physical. However, he slowly began to regain the form he had shown at Metz to top the assist charts in the 2001/02 season. Two seasons later was the defining moment in Pires’ career as he was part of the great Invincibles who lifted the league title without losing a single game.

2. Patrick Vieira

In August 1996, it was reported that Vieira was subject to a move to English club Arsenal, given personal terms with original suitors Ajax were not reached. He officially joined Arsenal four days later. Vieira later revealed he signed for the Gunners because his compatriot Arsène Wenger was going to be the club’s next manager. He will be remembered as one of the greatest box-to-box midfielders of all time, whose commitment to the club can never be questioned.

1. Thierry Henry

Henry transferred from Juventus on in August 1999 to Arsenal, reuniting with his former manager Wenger. It was at Arsenal that Henry made his name as a world-class footballer, and although his transfer was not without controversy, Wenger was convinced he was worth the transfer fee. While his beginnings were humble, the Frenchman came into full bloom under the tutelage of his fellow countryman. In his first season in English football, the he scored 26 goals.

Two Premier League titles and an appearance in the Champions League final were just a thumbnail of what was an illustrious career. Never again will Arsenal ever have such a mercurial talent, especially a French one, who could score screamers while leading from the front.