Eight Arsenal heroes that left for free in the last decade: Auba, Ozil…

In recent years, Arsenal fans have become used to seeing one-time club legends lose form before departing the club for nothing. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is only the latest example.

“I think in the future, you will see it more and more. Why? Because the transfers are so high, even for normal players,” Arsene Wenger said back in 2017, a prediction that has been proven correct around Europe but particularly at his own club.

“You will see more and more players going into the final year of the contract because no club will want to pay the amount demanded… in the next 10 years, it will become usual.”

Perhaps it was because Wenger had already seen that happen with players that had served him well over the years and could see which way the tide was turning. Things certainly haven’t changed since his departure.

Here are eight players who were – at one point – absolutely brilliant for Arsenal but later departed for nothing. On that criteria, certain players (are you reading, Willian?) miss out.

Having announced himself to the world as a wonderfully exciting footballer with dazzling performances for Russia at Euro 2008, Arshavin briefly lived up to the billing at Arsenal after arriving for a club-record fee in February 2009.

We can’t not mention those four goals against Liverpool or that winner in that victory over Barcelona, while his endearing downright weirdness was always a perfect ingredient for a future cult hero.

But over time, flat performances became commonplace, and he spent the final months of his Arsenal contract on loan at Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Once brilliant, Arshavin’s Gunners career ended with the club ultimately happy to wave goodbye and save on his wages. This would become a common theme in the years to come.

R