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Five Arsenal players who left and came back By Jonny Bray Arsenal fans have enjoyed some memorable players over the years and, despite what you may think, it isn't that rare to see one or two of them return for a second spell in North London. Some of those returns have made lasting impacts on the club – and are still spoken about fondly now. But others haven't gone so well and have ended up damaging the player’s legacy at the club. So, it's time to take a look at five Arsenal players who left and came back. Thierry Henry Thierry Henry's return to Arsenal was one of the best things about the 2011/12 season. After training with Arsenal during the MLS off-season, the French icon re-signed for the club on a two-month loan deal on 6 January 2012. Henry made seven appearances, scoring two goals and lifting the spirits of Gunners fans around the world. His goal on his return against Leeds United in the FA Cup was an incredible moment, matched by the calmness of the Frenchmen...

Ian Wright's greatest Arsenal moments By Jack Lacey-Hatton Few players are held in higher regard with Arsenal fans than Ian Wright. The legendary striker recently became the fourth Arsenal alumni, after Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, to enter the Premier League Hall of Fame. A forward who had everything, pace, trickery, athleticism and deadly finishing ability, Wright wasn’t just loved because he put the ball in the net. It was the way he played, a street footballer with attitude, who could outwork and out-battle the best defences in the country. Wrighty’s relationship with the North Bank faithful was a joy to watch, as he hit 185 goals in all competitions during a seven-year stay at Highbury. It’s hard to boil such an amazing career down to just a handful of highlights but we’ve tried. Here are four of his greatest moments in a Gunners’ shirt.   A Dream Debut v Leicester City It would be wrong not to highlight the one moment Wright pinpointed himself as the bes...

Who is better: Henry, Kane or Shearer By Jonny Bray After scoring twice in Tottenham Hotspur's 5-0 win against Everton, Harry Kane overtook Arsenal legend Thierry Henry in the all-time Premier League goalscoring charts. The England captain has now scored 177 Premier League goals and is just 83  away from levelling Alan Shearer's record of 260. It is undoubtedly an incredible achievement, and even Gooners have to admit that Kane has gone above and beyond what many football fans expected from him at the start of his career. However, his achievement has sparked debate. Spurs fans are now arguing that Kane is a better player than Henry and Shearer, much to the disgust of Arsenal supporters up and down the country. Newcastle fans have also stood by their man, pointing out that Kane still has a long way to go before he overtakes the North East icon's record. So what better time to take a look at who the better player was? Is it Kane, Shearer or Henry? Thierry Henry In many ways, ...

How many of Arsenal's current players get into 2006 CL final team By Matt Wright Following last weekend’s developments, Arsenal are favourites to claim the fourth Champions League spot this season and earn a place in European football’s premier competition for the first time since 2016. Taking part in that tournament used to be a given for Gunners fans, who had the privilege of witnessing their team participate for 19 consecutive seasons, following 1997/98’s double-winning campaign. Unfortunately, however, none of those ended with any of Arsene Wenger, Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry lifting the trophy over their heads. The closest this came to happening – and my goodness it was close – was in 2006 when two late goals allowed Barcelona to defeat 10-man Arsenal at the Stade de France in the final. It was a painful end to a fantastic run that saw the Gunners knock out Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal on their way to Paris. So, without wanting to count our chickens bef...

Arsenal’s five greatest Champions League nights By Alec McQuarrie With the Champions League returning to our screens this week for the first time in over two months, let’s crack open the archive and look back at five of the most unforgettable Arsenal performances in this prestigious competition. The Gunners have a long and proud history in the tournament, qualifying for the group stage under Arsène Wenger for 19 consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2016 – only Real Madrid can better that with 25 and counting. Wenger failed to make the last-16 just twice, reaching six quarter-finals, two semi-finals and one final in 2006. The Gunners lost 2-1 to Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona side that included Carlos Puyol, Andrés Iniesta Deco, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o. Inter Milan 1-5 Arsenal – Group Stage Matchday Five – 25 November 2003 “Not in my wildest dreams could we have predicted that sort of result,” said Arsène Wenger after the Gunners sent shockwaves through Europe by demolishing the previou...

Arsenal's best ever Boxing Day fixtures By Tom Harle Boxing Day football hasn’t been good to Arsenal over the years. We have played 85 games on 26 December and won 36 of them, a win rate that means fans would be better off troubling the leftover turkey. But watching the Gunners is still the best way to shake off the festive torpor and our trip to Carrow Road to face struggling Norwich has escaped the clutches of Omicron. Let’s take a look back to better times and six of Arsenal’s best Boxing Day triumphs. 2000 - Arsenal 6-1 Leicester City You couldn’t have scripted this one better - the Foxes came to Highbury joint-second and left with their tails between their legs. Thierry Henry scored his first of eight Arsenal hat-tricks on his 50th appearance, the Frenchman leading one of those irresistible attacking displays we were spoiled with. Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg and even Tony Adams got in on the act as Arsenal completed a rout and sent the fans home happy. The Gu...

Five classic Arsenal games at Old Trafford: From late winners, title deciders and THAT Martin Keown celebration By Oli Dickson Jefford Manchester United v Arsenal: it’s one of the biggest domestic footballing rivalries in recent history. During the late 1990s and 2000s their contests were unmissable, with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger driving their respective clubs to new heights. With neither side at that level anymore, the match is perhaps less significant nowadays, though there will hardly be any love lost at Old Trafford on Thursday. Ahead of their latest meeting, we take a look at five memorable meetings between the two at Old Trafford. March 1998: Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal We start by heading back 23 years to a match which swung the title race in Arsenal’s favour. Man Utd were ahead in the table but Arsenal’s victory saw them move just six points behind the Red Devils with three games in hand. Arsenal controlled the contest with Dennis Bergkamp, Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars c...

Remembering some classic games between Arsenal and Liverpool By Jack Lacey-Hatton Arsenal travel to Liverpool tomorrow with the Gunners looking to keep up their recent good form. While the Reds will arguably be the toughest test Mikel Arteta’s team have had so far this season, it should be an intriguing game, particularly after their defeat at West Ham before the international break. But it will have to go some to be considered a real classic between these two, with this fixture having served up some belters in the past. Here are four of the best;   Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal, April 2009 Probably the first game every modern fan thinks of when classic Arsenal-Liverpool fixtures gets a mention. The celebration of a certain Russian forward holding up four fingers is iconic to a certain generation of Arsenal fans. On a balmy early-summer evening back in April 2009, a ridiculous game took place almost entirely remembered for a four-goal haul from Andrey Arshavin. This was...