Arsenal Transfers: 10 Players Arsene Wenger Should Never Have Signed

10. Johan Djourou

Viewed as a potential long-term successor to Sol Campbell, Ivory Coast-born Johan Djourou failed to live up to his inflated billing.

Djourou arrived in 2003 as a raw but promising teenager, with an impressive frame giving him an added advantage over his peers.

He made his debut just over a year later aged 17, whilst a subsequent loan spell at Birmingham City during the 2007-08 campaign seemed a perfect opportunity for the centre-back to toughen up.

However, the Swiss international didn’t develop as Arsene Wenger would’ve hoped, as his lack of positional sense proved a major factor in his downfall.

Unable to compete physically and mark opponents closely enough despite his stature, the defender also had a frustrating penchant for taking unnecessary risks when in possession.

Eventually, he left for Hamburg having made 144 appearances across 10 seasons with the Gunners – few of which involved any outstanding performances.