With the Spaniard now sitting in the dugout, it can be easy to forget that Mikel Arteta spent five years with Arsenal as a player between 2011 and 2016.
The Gunners splashed £10million on the Everton fan-favourite and he was a regular for his first three seasons at the Emirates, lifting back-to-back FA Cups as club captain in 2014 and 2015.
The summer of 2011 was a busy time for Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal board. We take a look at the nine other players signed by the club alongside Arteta.
Carl Jenkinson
One of many success stories for the Charlton academy, Arsenal snapped him up after making just nine appearances for the Addicks.
Injuries hindered the defender from fulfilling his potential in north London, however. A successful 2014-15 season on loan with West Ham teased Jenkinson with a return to his best before a cruel blow came in the form of an ACL following a clash with Sergio Aguero.
Jenkinson was popular because of his passion for the club, being a boyhood Arsenal fan, but he simply wasn’t at the level required and departed when his contract expired in 2019.
The full-back then joined Nottingham Forest, but traded England for Australia three years later, joining Melbourne City on loan before making a permanent move to Newcastle Jets.
READ: Where are they now? Arsene Wenger’s British core at Arsenal from 2012
Jon Toral
One of two signings from Barcelona 10 years ago, it is safe to say Toral was the less successful of the pair.
He never made a first-team appearance for the Gunners, instead, finding himself loaned out to Brentford, Birmingham, Granada and Rangers before signing permanently for Hull in 2017. The summer of 2021 saw him sign for Greek side OFI, based on the island of Crete.
Probably a nicer place to play than Hull.
Hector Bellerin
The second of the poached players from La Masia, Bellerin’s impact at the Emirates has been significantly greater than Toral’s.
Formerly one of Europe’s most exciting right-backs, a ruptured ACL suffered in a clash with Chelsea in January 2019 ruled him out for nine months. Unai Emery insisted that Bellerin would “come back stronger” but, sadly, that has not proven to be the case.
After struggling for consistent form under Arteta, Bellerin moved on loan to Real Betis in the summer of 2021 in search of a fresh start, and now looks set to make a permanent departure.
Gervinho
Blistering pace and a haircut for the ages, Gervinho will always be remembered among Arsenal fans – for…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…