Ex-Gunner Watch

[Riou]

Our striker force in 1999-2000...Bergkamp, Henry, Kanu, Suker.

That's unbelievable (even if Davor was a little past it, he was still quality) might be our best ever attack.

 

[albakos]

What a performance. My main memory from that game is the likes of Henry struggling to stay on their feet in that swamp and you have Kanu gliding about like it's a normal day. Still no idea how he squeezed that third goal in.

Thank you, you reminded me to have a picture of Kanu hatty included in the Iconic Arsenal Moments sidebar widget.

Will do so soon.

 

[Macho]

Spoiler: Who is your club’s best loan signing of the Premier League era?

Who is your club’s best loan signing of the Premier League era?​

The Athletic UK Staff
Jul 7, 2022

Remember that loan signing who came in to turn around your team’s season? Or the midfielder who bagged a hatful of goals and assists before being recalled by their parent club? Or the forward who signed when everyone thought they should slip away into retirement — only to prove doubters wrong?

We tasked our reporters to select the best loan signing of the Premier League era for their teams — ideally, but not necessarily, a player who performed in the top flight itself. There are some obvious picks, some lesser-spotted selections and, frankly, some default choices through lack of options.

Here we go then. Please feel free to disagree wholeheartedly with their picks in the comments section…

---

Arsenal

Arsenal have not tended to dip into the loan market frequently during their time as a Premier League club.

Alex Song deserves a mention among one of the club’s more successful loan additions. Initially impressing Arsène Wenger in a trial, he was taken on loan from Basita for the 2005-06 season and then signed permanently the following summer.

His development from a functional defensive midfielder who sometimes filled in at centre-back to dictator of Arsenal’s midfield was incredible. His 2011-12 season was littered with exceptional passing displays and he was very much part of Robin van Persie’s success that year.

Speaking strictly on loan players, however, Thierry Henry steals the show. It is very rare that the signing of a 34-year-old striker — on loan from New York Red Bulls in 2012 — garners as much excitement as this did, but it was all warranted.

Although his big return came in the League Cup against Leeds United, he still managed to leave a mark in the Premier League. Scoring the last-minute winner in his final league game for Arsenal against Sunderland was magical.

Henry celebrates his goal against Leeds in 2012 (Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Helping Arsenal keep in touching distance (10 points) of Tottenham Hotspur in third before overtaking them later in the season doesn’t hurt either.

Art de Roche


Everton

Thomas Gravesen’s unexpected move to Real Madrid in 2005 left David Moyes in a quandary.

Suddenly the Everton manager was left trying to fill a creative hole in a season that, somewhat against the odds, was going very well.

The summer after losing Wayne Rooney, Everton were defying expectations to challenge for a Champions League spot and Gravesen’s superb performances earned him an unlikely switch to the Bernabeu halfway through the season.

Moyes, as he so often did, had to get creative and turned to the loan market and something of a young journeyman in 22-year-old Mikel Arteta, a silky footballer who had failed to really break into the team at Real Sociedad.

Arteta was a huge hit at Everton (Photo: Nigel French – PA Images via Getty Images)
Spells at Rangers and Paris Saint-Germain had hinted at the Basque’s potential, but it was at Goodison where he found his stage.

One goal and three assists in the second half of the season do not tell the full story. Everton fans were thrilled by Arteta’s mesmeric and graceful ability — initially playing out wide — leaving full-backs baffled, and his right foot would become a major part of the club’s attacking threat.

Arteta provided assists in crucial wins over Manchester United and Newcastle that cemented Everton’s dream of finishing fourth.

Before long he was dubbed a second coming of the great Alex Young and, as the supporter chant went, “the best little Spaniard we know”.

Moyes wasted no time making the move permanent for just £2 million that summer, and the following season, Arteta was voted the fans and players’ player of the season.

Greg O’Keeffe

Only included Arsenal and Everton cause of the gaffer.

 

[Riou]

@BigPoppaPump

 

[Riou]

Still feel Kos-Per is a pretty underrated CB pairing, tbh.

4 seasons together as the starters...never finished outside the Champions League places, plus 2 FA cup wins.

Even internationally around this time, Per helped his team win the World Cup, with Kos getting his to the Euros final.

Very decent that!

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Best of luck to Jack in his future career it's best decision for him considering the amount of operations his body got.

Hopefully he can get opportunities to manage our u18

 

[OnlyOne]

Thoughts and prayers go out to @Munta at this difficult time.

 

[Hunta]

Most talented player we’ve ever had. Only Thierry comes close.

Football lost one of its greats today. RIP.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Most talented player we’ve ever had. Only Thierry comes close.

Football lost one of its greats today. RIP.

If i catch Paddy McNair in streets. Jack looked healthy until this guy decided to make this horrible tackle

 

[GDeep™]

Poor Santi

Surprised he didn’t get dizzy and ask to be let out and go home.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Yes good move. I hoped for that lol

 

[GDeep™]

If i catch Paddy McNair in streets. Jack looked healthy until this guy decided to make this horrible tackle

You won’t do ****.

 

[GDeep™]

Damn, Julian Gray you know.

 

[Hunta]

Yes good move. I hoped for that lol

My main team now, **** the seniors.

 

[Riou]

Most talented player we’ve ever had. Only Thierry comes close.

Football lost one of its greats today. RIP.

...he was like Phil Foden, but better...as he actually had a bit of personality to him, instead of being a weird mushroom haircut robotic Manc.

 

[Riou]

 

[DanDare]

...he was like Phil Foden, but better...as he actually had a bit of personality to him, instead of being a weird mushroom haircut robotic Manc.

Even watching that video it's no surprise to me what happened to him and his injuries. His running style is a disaster

What a player though

 

[Entropics]

...he was like Phil Foden, but better...as he actually had a bit of personality to him, instead of being a weird mushroom haircut robotic Manc.

Funny that the most important cog in that amazing goal is the least rated player of the three. Insane stuff from Giroud

As for Jack, zero faith in his coaching role but hope he shuts me up. He's in a setup where not even the manager deserves to be there, so hopefully he gains some nice experience at least.

 

[Riou]

 

[Riou]

@A__G

Just found this tweet...



"He had to wait almost a decade for his chance, but he never said a word out of place"