Who?

Isaiah Rankin was a forward/winger who joined Arsenal in 1994 as a 16 year old. He played in the reserves and youth ranks and although he earned a spot on the first team roster in 1996, he never really broke into the side. In fact, he just made just one appearance, against Tottenham in December of 1997. (The picture is from a friendly match against Orient, Rankin was not photographed against Tottenham)

Remember now?

Rankin came on as a late substitute in that match in that match which ended 1-1. Arsenal went on to win the league that season, but Rankin did not make enough appearances to get a medal.

Arsenal reject!, Arsenal reject!

Rankin was sent on loan that year to Colchester before leaving for good in Bradford City in 1998. Wenger said this at the time about the decision to sell the player; “because he had in front of him too many players who were in to play in the top team. He was impatient. I thought that he wouldn’t naturally make it this season, and he needed some first-team games. He was one of the players where, if you keep him, he drops; if he drops, his value goes down and he isn’t happy and he hasn’t improved. If you are sure he won’t play for you this season, you give him a chance to make a career somewhere else, I’m happy for him.”

The player had a bit of a nomadic career from then on. From Bradford he was loaned to Birmingham and Bolton before joining Barnsley. After that, three spells at Grimsby (one on loan) sandwiched a stint at Brentford. He left Grimsby in 2007 for Macclesfield Town before joining Stevenage.

Rankin ended his career earlier this year after further spells at Crawley Town, Forest Green Rovers, Ashford Town, and Hendon.

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