3. Robert Pirès
Pirès joined Arsenal for £6 million in 2000 from Marseille to replace Marc Overmars. Like the Dutch flier Pirès was a right footed player deployed on the left wing to deadly effect. He scored goals at the rate of most strikers and could create them with the finesse of the finest midfield playmakers. Pirès was the FWA player of the year as Arsenal won the double in 2001/2. During this season he scored one of his most memorable goals, a lob against Aston Villa after which Andy Gray famously invited him to "take a bow son." Pirès was also sublime in the famous invincible season scoring 19 goals and dovetailing beautifully with his compatriot Thierry Henry who loved to drift onto the left side. In total Pirès won 2 Premier Leagues and 3 F.A. Cups with Arsenal before departing for Villareal on a free transfer in 2006.