Arsenal sold five players in Arsene Wenger’s final season that they must now regret

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Arsenal are now firmly into the post-Arsene Wenger era. The Frenchman left the Gunners after the 2017-18 campaign. Arsenal finished sixth that season and Wenger, the club’s most successful manager, was on his way at the end of the season. 

But he was not the only person to leave Arsenal that season. When looking at the club’s transfer activity, Arsenal fans will only be able to see it as disastrous. 

The high profile departures from Arsenal that season were those of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott. 

But it is the departures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ismael Bennacer, Donyell Malen, Glen Kamara, and Wojciech Szczęsny that might have Arsenal fans scratching their heads four years on. 

Oxlade-Chamberlain left after struggling to cement a place in his favoured position at Arsenal. The midfielder has gone on to be a valued player at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, winning a Premier League and Champions League title since his exit. 

But Arsenal fans might argue that ‘The Ox’s’ continued injury trouble cancels his silverware out. 

Fair enough. But Arsenal must regret not standing by their enigmatic Polish keeper. Error-prone no doubt, Szczesny always looked capable of becoming a top keeper. 

After a two year loan with Roma, the goalkeeper headed to Juventus in 2017 and after acting as deputy for Gianluigi Buffon to start with he has developed into the Italian side’s starting stopper. 

Last season, he was awarded the Serie A goalkeeper of the year award and it is odd to think the Gunners never gave the Pole their full backing. 

As for the other three players mentioned, Arsenal were not likely to think these three youngsters would progress quite like they have. 

Bennacer is now one of AC Milan’s key players whilst Malen is scoring goals for fun in Holland with PSV, leading to links with a move to Barcelona. Kamara has fashioned a name for himself as a potent box-to-box midfielder in Scottish football. His performances with Rangers have him linked with a host of English clubs and he will be a driving force behind an impressive Finland side at the European Championships next summer. 

Five players Arsenal sold in their final season under Wenger as the club went through transition both on and off the pitch. In hindsight, it is five players who could have been future stars at The Emirates.