Seven players who left Arsenal and flopped, including Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, as Gunners plan clear out
THE grass is not always greener on the other side, as these ex-Arsenal flops have proved.
The Gunners are planning on a massive overhaul of their squad in the summer.
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo have been linked, while a new striker to compliment Gabriel Jesus could arrive in the form of Danish sensation Rasmus Hojlund.
But that means some high-profile stars may have to make way, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney potentially facing being cut from Mikel Arteta’s squad.
And let this be a warning; it doesn’t always work out – as these seven who left North London for pastures new then flopped when they left Arsenal show.
Alexis Sanchez
As high-profile as it got, Sanchez, 34, had it good at Arsenal – where he scored 80 goals in 166 games.
But, the allure of a big money transfer to Man Utd and a huge £350,000-per-week deal saw the Chilean head north.
However, he had a miserable time at Old Trafford – scoring just five times in 45 games.
An inconsistent spell at Inter Milan followed, although he’s picked up at Marseille – where he’s managed 16 goals this campaign.
Aaron Ramsey
A cult hero at the Emirates, FA Cup final goals were Ramsey’s speciality.
The now 32-year-old gave Arsenal 369 games and managed 64 strikes from midfield.
However, when Juventus came calling in 2019 and dangled a £400,000-per-week contract in front of him – he was quick to jump ship.
His time in Turn was miserable. Injuries hindered him and he managed to hit the back of the net a measly six times in 70 games.
He hardly pulled up trees during a loan spell in Scotland at Rangers, and now plies his trade at Nice.
Mesut Ozil
The recently retired World Cup winner was brilliant on his day.
And when he arrived on our shores, for £42.5million in 2013 from Real Madrid, it was seen as a massive coup that Arsenal had managed to lure Ozil to the Premier League.
There were some great times in the capital, but when Mikel Arteta arrived it was clear his days were numbered – with a different playing style preferred.
Ozil, now 34, then bounced around Turkey – first with Fenerbahce for a season, then with Istanbul Başakşehir – but it was never the same.
Alex Hleb
The Belarusian was blessed with flawless technique and bamboozled Premier League defenders with his dribbling skills.
A £12 million signing from German side VfB Stuttgart, Hleb was an integral part of the Gunners side that reached the Champions League final in 2006.
But, after missing out on the trophy to Barcelona, he thought the next best thing would be to join the Spanish giants in 2008.
Four years later, having played just 36 times for the Catalans, his career petered out – with spells at Birmingham City, and several Russian and Belarusian clubs, including Bate Borisov which handed him a return to the Emirates.
Needless to say, he has said he regretted leaving Arsenal.
Alex Song
Another one who jumped ship for the Camp Nou.
An offer of £15million prised Song, who is still playing at 35 in Cameroon, from the Emirates to Spain in 2012.
That was after his best season in an Arsenal shirt – where he contributed 12 assists after replacing Cesc Fabregas as the Gunners’ creative force in the middle of the park.
Song has previously revealed he left Arsenal for the money and didn’t care if he played or not.
Hector Bellerin
Fashion-conscious Bellerin’s career trajectory has been miserable since his contract was terminated in North London.
After falling out of favour under Arteta, a free transfer move to Barcelona was supposed to reignite his career.
But, he played back-up to Sergino Dest – who hardly missed a game.
Bellerin has played just 141 minutes of football for the LaLiga giants. Now, he’s on loan at Sporting Lisbon, but has suffered with injuries.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Injuries can be a cruel thing in football.
The Ox, still only 29, has had his fair share of problems, including severe knee injuries.
A bid of £35million from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool was too good for Arsenal to turn down in 2017.
Initially it looked like the Reds had got themselves the player Arsenal thought he would become, alas injuries again wrecked those plans.
Two severe knee injuries, as well as a loss of form, have seen Oxlade-Chamberlain become a periphery figure in Liverpool’s squad now.