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3 Players That Arsenal Should Never Have Sold

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Over the years, the Arsenal squad has changed quite a lot. Arsene Wenger has always stressed on bringing in technically sound reliable players with cool heads over their shoulders.

After the team moved to The Emirates Stadium from Highbury, the squad was chopped and changed a lot in order to keep in compliance, having spent a huge amount on the construction of the stadium. Many players had to be sold on, even if that irked Wenger to the fullest.

Following the sale of these star players, Arsenal struggled to do well and became a club that was content with Champions League qualification. That is a level that Arsenal should never have stooped down to but circumstances demanded Wenger to change his ways. Off late, though, this mentality has faded away as Arsenal now have quite a few big players in the team such as Ozil, Sanchez, Cech and Koscielny. These players have played a big role in ensuring Arsenal are restored to their former glory.

There are some players that Arsenal should never have sold. These players were absolutely top class in their prime and if Arsenal hadn’t sold them, perhaps the club might have been more successful. Here’s a lowdown on these players –

Ashley Cole

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The left back now ply his trade with LA Galaxy in the MLS along with Steven Gerrard. He was one of the best left-backs of his generation and earned considerable respect for his performances at both Arsenal and Chelsea. Cole came through the ranks at Arsenal and went on to make several appearances for his boyhood club. He won the Premier League twice along with several other honors at Arsenal. He was also an important part of ‘The Invincibles’ team which went an entire league season unbeaten.

But trouble soon came calling in 2006 for the Englishman as he got involved in a tussle with the Premier League for trying to negotiate a move to Chelsea without permission from Arsenal, for which he also paid a 100,000 pounds fine. Chelsea and Jose Mourinho too were found guilty and rightly charged for the incident. Cole eventually moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2006 and went on to establish himself as one of the best left-backs in the world, if not just the league. Cole won himself a good share of honors at Stamford Bridge and is still highly regarded there.

One can only wonder what it could’ve been like if Arsenal had just offered more than what they did, a reported 55,000 pounds per week. Cole was clearly livid with such an offer and decided to move to Chelsea where he was picking up 90,000 pounds a week at first. If Cole had been retained by Arsenal, many things might have been different. For starters, Arsenal could’ve had more silverware to show for their efforts. Suppose Cole had decided to stay put at Arsenal, this would’ve also motivated others alike to stay at the club too and not leave, like many of them did.

Cesc Fabregas

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The Spaniard is another that got away quite unnecessarily. But he cannot be blamed too much for having wanted to return to Barcelona, the club he quit for Arsenal at a very tender age. Highbury got to witness a 16-year-old that was blessed with magnificent skill and composure. For some reason, Arsenal fans have never forgotten Fabregas and why should they? He did really well for the Gunners and even skippered them in the last few years of his tenure at Arsenal.

However, he has endured some mixed fortunes since departing Arsenal for Barcelona. At the Spanish giants, Fabregas was treated very indifferently and the presence of big stars in the line-up meant he had to sometimes be content with a place on the bench. He was also played out of position sometimes as he filled in up front and played  the role of a ‘false 9’ on many occasions, yielding mixed results. For someone who can create with the ball as well as him, asking him to play up front was definitely a big ask for him. All this proved to be too much for Fabregas and he then opted to return the Premier League. Arsene snubbed him and put out any hopes of a return. He instead went to Arsenal’s close rivals Chelsea, much to the ire of Arsenal fans. At Stamford Bridge, he has gone on to win a Premier League title.

One can only wonder what it would’ve been like to hold onto our former skipper. After all, we sold him to Barcelona when he was entering his best years. Deep down, Wenger might actually regret this decision of his.

Robin Van Persie

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Van Persie was another one of Wenger’s gems. He brought the Dutchman in for a meager 2.75 million pounds from Feyenoord and turned him into a superstar. He started out his career at Arsenal as a left winger who could score from time to time. But as years went by, he posed a very strong goal threat and this made Wenger move him into the central striker position following the departures of Emmanuel Adebayor and Thierry Henry. The move paid dividends as RVP began to establish himself as a true goal scorer in the Premier League. Opposition defenses began to dread the sight of the Dutchman. He soon became a very vital player for Arsenal and eventually became their captain.

In his last year at Arsenal, Van Persie scored 30 goals and won the Golden Boot award for most goals scored. What happened in the summer of 2012 shocked many Arsenal fans as their club captain tried to push for a move away to Manchester United, where Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to partner Wayne Rooney. The move eventually went through and Manchester United won their 20th title that year, with Van Persie again the Golden Boot winner with 26 goals to his name.

If only the Dutchman had stayed put at Arsenal and given them a year or two more, things could have been different. But the past cannot be changed now. He finds himself playing in the Turkish league now. Perhaps for one last fat pay cheque. Van Persie will nevertheless be remembered for his flair, ability and hammer of a left foot.

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