5 worst signings of all time by Arsenal FC
Arsenal FC are one of the top clubs in the English Premier League and have a glorious history of 132 years. Arsenal have had some absolute legends play for them. The likes of Henry, Robin van Persie, and Bergkamp were a delight to watch. However, some of their signings did not go well at all. Here are the 5 worst signings ever by Arsenal.
The Brazilian who could not prove his mettle at Arsenal
To solve Arsenal's left-back issues, this 2009 Confederations Cup winner was bought by the Gunners for €7 mn from Fenerbahce in 2011. Santos scored a couple of goals in his initial games, but then faltered due to his poor positioning and lack of pace. Moreover, he invited the wrath of Arsenal loyalists after he exchanged shirts with van Persie in a game against United.
Arsene Wenger made a grave mistake by choosing him
Arsene Wenger had a choice between Ruud van Nistelrooy and Francis Jeffers, and he decided to acquire the latter. Jeffers joined Arsenal from Everton in 2002 for £8 mn and scored less than 10 goals in 3 years with the club. After being riddled with injuries and due to the spectacular forms of Henry and Bergkamp, Jeffers returned to Everton on loan in 2004.
A Frenchman who was a total flop at Arsenal
Sebastien Squillaci joined Arsenal on a 3-year contract in 2010 from Sevilla as a central defender but failed to impress in his first year at the club. In 2011-12, he fell down the pecking order due to the arrival of Mertesacker, and in 2012-13, he made just one appearance for the Gunners in a 2-1 defeat against Olympiacos. He was then sold to Bastia.
Another Frenchman who didn't perform with the Gunners
David Grondin signed for Arsenal in 1998 for £500,000 from Saint-Etienne. At the time of the transfer, he was an 18-year old and could not find a spot in the squad boasting of talented individuals. He ended up making only 4 appearances in total for Arsenal. In his 5 years at the club, Grondin was sent to Etienne, Cannes and Beveren.
This Korean footballer was not upto the mark at all
Park's signing, in 2011, is one of the strangest things Wenger ever did at Arsenal. Highly rated in Ligue 1, Park scored in his debut League Cup match. However, in subsequent matches he lacked form and was loaned out to Celta Vigo. After that, he made only a single appearance for the club, and in 2014, he was released as a free agent.
