10 Arsenal Players Who Weren't Worth The Hassle
6. Jermaine Pennant
There was a time when Jermaine Pennant was the most expensive teenager in British football. While Luke Shaws £32 million fee makes a mockery of the measly £2 million that had been splashed out for the Notts County trainee in 1999, it was still a sizeable amount of pressure placed upon the 15 year olds shoulders.
Pennant was hailed as one of Arsenals most naturally gifted youngsters, and was tipped as one to watch for the future. Making his first team debut at the age of 16, he became the clubs youngest ever first-team player, before smashing in a hat-trick on his full league debut four years later.
His six year stay with the Gunners was a tumultuous one, with Arsene Wenger growing continually distressed with his record of tardiness to training sessions. He complained from homesickness, and publicly voiced his displeasure at his lack of game-time. He found himself embroiled at the centre of an international controversy, as he was sent home from an u-21 camp for breaking a curfew.
''You can understand that a young boy can make mistakes but if they don't learn then there is no future for them. We want players to represent the club and on this occasion he did not do it. We want him to learn from that and not repeat it. It is down to him because as a player he has everything. He is a good dribbler, good crosser, good passer. He's also quick with great vision. I believe he is the biggest talent of his generation." - Arsene Wenger, 2003.