Arsena My Football Club

The Arsenal XI that never happened

 

People always talk about the players who Arsene Wenger should have signed, but let’s take a moment to remember some of the Arsenal graduates who failed to cement a place in the Arsenal team and hence, changed ships in search of first team action. Below is poorly made 4-4-2 formation (done by me) of some of the notable Arsenal graduates who departed Arsenal

 

 

Goalkeeper - Stuart Taylor, dubbed as the successor to David Seaman, he never really made the cut and played majority of his years at Arsenal as the 2nd or 3rd choice goalkeeper. As of now, he plays as a reserve goalkeeper for Manchester City after leaving Arsenal in 2005.

Right back - Justin Hoyte, after gaining valuable first team experience at Sunderland on loan, Hoyte was given his chance in the 2006-2007 season making 36 appearances in all competitions in the process. However, he still failed to cement a proper place in the team with his performances and after the arrival of Sagna, Hoyte’s future with Arsenal became limited. As of now, he is a regular for Middlesbrough after leaving Arsenal in 2008.

Centre back - Matthew Connolly, didn’t make a single league appearance for Arsenal but did have a few League Cup chances. Left Arsenal for QPR in 2008 and currently plays on loan at Reading.

Centre back - Philippe Senderos, while he did technically cement his place in the lineup for a while displacing Sol Campbell from the pecking order, the arrival of William Gallas in 2006 left Senderos benched for the rest of his Arsenal career. After loan stints with AC Milan and Everton, Senderos finally left Arsenal in 2010 for Fulham, where he is a current regular.

Left back - Armand Traore, never really got a consistent run of games unless there was an injury crisis, had loan stints at Portsmouth and Juventus before playing his final game for Arsenal in the humiliating 8-2 loss against Man United. Moved to QPR in the 2011 summer transfer window where he currently is deployed as backup to Taye Taiwo.

Right Midfielder – David Bentley, many critics blasted Wenger for letting him go in 2006 as they saw him as the next David Beckham. After impressing with Blackburn, he secured a big money move to Arsenal’s rivals, Tottenham where he even scored against Arsenal in the famous 4-4 draw and started celebrating. However, he soon went out of favour and was loaned out to Birmingham City last season while he currently plays on loan at West Ham United this season. The same David Bentley told Theo Walcott to leave Arsenal so his career would flourish – this coming from a player who couldn’t make the first team of a relegated Birmingham side. Oh, how the critics must be eating their “next Beckham” words.

Central Midfielder – Steve Sidwell, part of the Arsenal team which won consecutive FA Youth cups but even after various loan spells, he still failed to make a single league appearance for Arsenal and departed in 2003 for Reading. His outstanding performances for Reading earned him a big money move to Chelsea where he was benched for majority of his stay. After a 3 year spell at Villa afterwards, he currently plies his trade with Fulham as a regular.

Central Midfielder – Fabrice Muamba, after limited opportunities at the Emirates Stadium with Gilberto Silva, Flamini and Lass Diarra all in his position, he was loaned out to Birmingham City, making the move permanent in 2007. After a season, he made the move to Bolton where is currently a keycog in the Bolton midfield, being one of their main players.

Left Midfielder – Seb Larsson, after only 12 first team appearances, the talented Swede left for Birmingham City in 2007 where he made a name for himself as a dead ball specialist. After City’s relegation in 2011, Larsson joined Sunderland on a free transfer and is currently one of their key players, even scoring against Arsenal this season but unlike Bentley, he paid respect to Arsenal by not celebrating.

Striker – Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, the versatile striker/winger only made 1 league appearance for Arsenal in a 2-0 loss to Chelsea in October 2010 as a substitute but other than that, never really got a chance to play for the first team. After various loans to Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers and Cardiff City, Emmanuel-Thomas eventually left Arsenal in 2011 for Ipswich Town where he is a current regular.

Striker - Jay Bothroyd, never made a single first team appearance for Arsenal and eventually left Arsenal in 2000 which Arsene Wenger claims, he still regrets. After spells at various clubs, Bothroyd finally got back on the football radar with his performances for Cardiff City in 2010-2011 where he scored 20 goals that season and earned his first England cap. As of now, he plays for QPR.

Other notable graduates – Gilles Sunu, Jay Simpson, Jermaine Pennant, Kerrea Gilbert, Thomas Cruise and Mark Randall, Jeremie Aliadiere, Havard Nordtveit and Fran Merida.

 

 

By Dover