As a teen sensation, Francis Jeffers had won many plaudits thanks to some promising displays for both Everton and England U21s. In 2001, Wenger spent £8million to bring the fox in the box to Highbury. The youngster failed to deliver. Jeffers struggled for fitness during his spell at Arsenal, missing out on a Premier League winners medal in 2001/02 due to a lack of appearances. He also missed the clubs two FA Cup finals due to injury. When he did play, there wasnt much to suggest that he could ever replicate the goals of Wright and Anelka before him. The striker started the 2003/04 campaign with a needless red card against Manchester United in the Community Shield. It would be the last time wed see him in a Gunners shirt as he was sent back to Everton on loan shortly after. Following that, Arsenal cut their losses by sanctioning a £2.6million move to Charlton in the summer of 2004. Jeffers struggled to ever realise his potential after leaving Everton the first time and his failure at Arsenal was certainly the turning point. Perhaps it was a case of too much too early for the one-capped England striker.
