Arsenal have just landed Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer, so where does he rate in terms of previous freebies Arsenal have signed?
With transfer fees rising at an astronomical rate, the free transfer market offers clubs the opportunity to acquire often experienced players for little-to-no money.
One of the few attributes so many Arsene Wenger supporters praise to his ability to find value in the transfer market. Whilst Arsenal haven’t always been prolific in the free transfer market, there have been some gems throughout the years…in reverse order
Marouane Chamakh
I know you’re likely to immediately exit this article after discovering that Chamakh is in the top 5 free transfers to Arsenal of all time but trust me it gets better.
Chamakh, of course, never truly settled in at Arsenal.
Signed from Girondins de Bordeaux, the Moroccan forward arrived at Arsenal on the back of a season where he had scored the most headed goals in Europe. His style of play, whilst deemed un-Arsenal-like, was welcomed by fans as it offered a change in approach, a plan B so to speak.
His first few months were a real success. He provided a reliable head in front of goal and provided an alternative route to our attacking play.
Unfortunately, the Moroccan soon lost his touch in front of goal and his work-rate wasn’t enough to keep him in the good graces of the fans.
In contrast, Robin van Persie was beginning to find form and Chamakh was soon vilified for simply not being as good as the Dutchman.
As a result of his underwhelming performances, his Arsenal career ended in 2013 with his departure welcomed by the fans.
Johan Djourou
Certainly not the most glamorous free transfer by any means but a valuable cog in the backline in a season when Arsenal’s defence was considered better than the sum of its parts.
The Swiss defender made 144 appearances for the Gunners, predominantly in the centre of defence but occasionally at right back or defensive midfield.
He was much appreciated by the Arsenal fans due to the belief that, despite his gangly style, Arsenal were statistically better defensively when he was on the pitch.
However, in 2009 Djourou suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out of the team for eight months. By the time he had returned, he had fallen down the pecking order and was unable to re-establish himself until the backend of the 2010 season.
Unfortunately the following season, Djourou was involved in the 8-2 demolition at the hands of United.
With the record defeat, came the final nail in Djourou’s coffin.
The Swiss utility man was allowed to leave on loan and following a successful spell at Hamburg, Djourou earned a permanent move at the end of the season.
Sead Kolasinac
Yet to play for the Gunners but reports suggest Kolasinac is a very exciting prospect for the North London club.
With an average rating of 7.32 by WhoScored.com, he was the highest-rated left back in the Bundesliga last season.
25 appearances for Schalke saw the Bosnia and Herzegovina international contribute five assists and three goals to his side’s cause and at 23-years-old he has plenty of time to improve.
Whilst Nacho Monreal has proven an able body in both left back and centre back, there has been a suspicion that Wenger would like to add a threat to the left hand side of the team to match the right’s attacking threat.
His versatility could be an added bonus with 15 of his appearances coming at left midfield, 13 at left back and two in central defence.
German football expert Rafa Honigstein values him as one of the best left backs in the league and someone who will be an asset defensively and offensively to Arsenal, especially in the air.
Cesc Fabregas
What can be said about Cesc Fabregas that hasn’t already been said?
The young Spaniard left Catalonia to further his footballing education with Arsenal. Despite signing for the club at the age of 16 in 2003, it only took Fabregas a year to get his name on the Arsenal scoresheet against Blackburn Rovers and a further nine months to collect his first medal, against United in the FA Cup final.
Following the departure of Patrick Vieira, Cesc really began to shine and became a leader both on and off the pitch. Magnificent performances in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Juventus, saw the Spaniard named in Uefa’s Team of the Year 2006.
Although Cesc continued to garner personal accolades, his 303 appearances never reaped the club honours that he so desperately sought.
Following his appearances for Spain in the 2008 European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, in which he picked up winners’ medals in both, Cesc moved back to his boyhood club to happily see out the remainder of his career, where he struggled to play as much as he would have liked and was ultimately deemed surplus to requirements.
In 2014, to the dismay of many an Arsenal fan, Cesc joined bitter rivals Chelsea and ultimately tarnished his reputation with the majority of fans.
Sol Campbell
From one turncoat to another, this time Arsenal were on the receiving end of a lovely central defender shaped gift.
It was a sunny Tuesday in July when Sol Campbell and Arsenal confirmed what many suspected as he posed for a picture with his new boss, Arsene Wenger.
The powerful central defender had an immediate effect, partnering Tony Adams in defence and assisting Arsenal on their way to the double.
Not content with his three appearances in the PFA Team of the Year, Campbell helped lead the club to one of its finest ever achievements: The Invincible season.
The 6ft 2” mountain, paired with the inexperienced but talented Kolo Toure, formed an authoritative double act. He was powerful in the air, strong in the tackle and quick across the ground.
In the 2005-2006 season, Campbell suffered a loss in form and dropped out of the team.
However the following year, a return to form saw him play a major role in the club’s journey to the Champions League final.
His Arsenal career was almost capped by a Champions League winning goal, however a red card to Jens Lehmann and a late Juliano Beletti goal scuppered Arsenal and Campbell’s hopes of glory.
After a wonderful journey, in which Arsenal recorded the strongest defensive record in Champions League history, Sol Campbell left the club on mutual consent.
Although this was not to be his last game for Arsenal, he is still warmly remembered amongst Arsenal fans for his performances and leadership, not least in the Invincibles season.