Arsenal’s Top 5 Regret Sales: Xhaka & More 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal’s history includes selling key players like Thierry Henry, Cesc Fàbregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, and Samir Nasri during the early Emirates Stadium era to pay off debts, as noted in multiple reports.
• Granit Xhaka left for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 for €25 million after a redemption arc, scoring twice in his final game against Wolves in a 5-0 win; he helped Leverkusen win the unbeaten Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and reach Europa League Final.
• Xhaka’s departure impacted Arsenal’s 2023/24 midfield reconfiguration with Kai Havertz; Arsenal earned 89 points but dropped points early, finishing second.
• Alexis Sánchez swapped to Manchester United in January 2018 for Henrikh Mkhitaryan after 80 goals and 44 assists in 166 games; he scored only 5 in 45 for United and regretted it immediately.
• Serge Gnabry, signed for £100,000, made 18 senior appearances with one goal; sold to Werder Bremen for £5m in 2016, now has 103 goals in 319 for Bayern Munich.
• Marc Overmars contributed 40 goals and 33 assists in 141 games, key to 1998 double; sold to Barcelona in 2000 for part of £32m deal with Petit.
• Nicolas Anelka, signed from PSG in 1997, scored 28 goals including FA Cup Final; Arsène Wenger called his sale “my biggest regret,” sold to Real Madrid for £22m+; Anelka played for 13 clubs.
• Historical regrets include Cesc Fàbregas (£30.6m to Barcelona), Samir Nasri (£24.8m to Man City, citing trophies), Joe Willock (£26.5m to Newcastle after loan).
• Wenger regretted not signing Yaya Touré, per Sky Sports report.
• Other mentions: Robin van Persie won Premier League with Man United post-sale; Anelka’s potential under Wenger.

(North London News) April 2, 2026 – Arsenal’s long-standing issue of selling star players continues to haunt fans and analysts, with a recent Pain in the Arsenal article highlighting five players the club surely regrets offloading more than others. This comes amid ongoing title challenges under Mikel Arteta, where midfield stability remains key after recent departures. The Gunners’ history of financial constraints, particularly post-Emirates Stadium debts under Arsène Wenger, forced sales of icons like Thierry Henry, Cesc Fàbregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, and Samir Nasri.

Who Was Granit Xhaka and Why Did Arsenal Sell Him?

Granit Xhaka’s Arsenal tenure ended on a high in May 2023, scoring twice in the first 14 minutes during a 5-0 win over Wolves, earning club-legend status after a rocky start. As reported by the Pain in the Arsenal team, Xhaka had told fans to “F*** off” while substituted against Crystal Palace under Unai Emery, but completed a full redemption arc during Arteta’s first title push.

That summer, Xhaka departed for Bayer Leverkusen for €25 million, becoming pivotal under Xabi Alonso as die Werkself won their first Meisterschale unbeaten, the DFB-Pokal, and reached the Europa League Final.

In North London, Kai Havertz replaced him, prompting Arteta to reconfigure the midfield; Arsenal amassed 89 points in 2023/24 but faltered early, with stats showing 40 points from 20 games pre-New Year versus 49 from 18 after.

ClutchPoints analysis questions if Arsenal regrets the sale, noting midfield voids in tough games like against Newcastle, with alternatives like Fabio Vieira and Jorginho underperforming amid injuries.

Reddit user AlanMerckin argued Xhaka’s peak was inconsistent, contributing to prior top-four misses, though others credit his character. Arsenal finished two points behind Manchester City, fuelling “what if” debates.

Did Arsenal’s Midfield Suffer Without Xhaka?

Arsenal’s 2023/24 split-season form underscores the impact: 12 wins, 4 draws, 4 defeats, 37 goals scored, 22 conceded in the first half; improving to 16 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat, 54 scored, 7 conceded post-January.

Pain in the Arsenal posits a few extra early points from Xhaka might have clinched the title.

Xhaka wanted to leave earlier, per Reddit discussions, but stayed longer, showing character at Leverkusen. Arteta’s rebuild succeeded somewhat, yet ClutchPoints highlights ongoing challenges, suggesting Xhaka’s presence would aid in high-stakes matches.

Why Is Alexis Sánchez a Major Regret?

Alexis Sánchez’s 2018 swap epitomised transfer drama, joining Manchester United on £350,000-per-week after 80 goals and 44 assists in 166 games for a middling Arsenal. Pain in the Arsenal details how Arsenal got Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who played 59 times, while Sánchez scored just 5 in 45 for United.

Sánchez later confessed, as quoted in the article:

“After the session I got home and I told my family and my agent can you not rip up the contract to go back to Arsenal? They laughed, I told them there’s something that doesn’t sit right… After the first few months I carried on having the same feeling.”

Despite Arsenal’s decline leading to Wenger’s exit, his quality might have altered outcomes, per analysis.

AllFootballapp notes Sánchez’s post-Arsenal struggles contrast with peers like Fàbregas (£30.6m to Barcelona).

What Happened to Serge Gnabry After Leaving?

Serge Gnabry, bought for £100,000 from Stuttgart at 16, managed 18 senior outings and one goal at Swansea in 2013. After a dismal West Brom loan—Tony Pulis deemed him “not at that level”—he joined Werder Bremen for £5m post-2016 Olympics (6 goals for Germany).

Now 30, Gnabry boasts 103 goals in 319 Bayern Munich games and 26 for Germany, including versus Switzerland. Pain in the Arsenal laments the missed opportunity for Arsenal stardom.

How Did Marc Overmars Shape Arsenal’s Success?

Marc Overmars, from Ajax in 1997 for £5m, notched 40 goals and 33 assists in 141 games, vital to Wenger’s 1998 double, including an Old Trafford winner. Sold to Barcelona in 2000 with Emmanuel Petit for £32m combined.

Though replaced by Robert Pirès effectively, fans rue the brevity, despite Overmars’s later Ajax controversies.

Was Nicolas Anelka Wenger’s Biggest Regret?

Wenger, alongside David Dein, stated:

“My biggest regret and shame is that [Nicolas] Anelka left. He could have been special, instead he played for 13 clubs.”

Anelka, from PSG in 1997, scored 28 goals, including FA Cup Final vs Newcastle; 17 league goals in 1998/99 trailed only top strikers.

Sold to Real Madrid for £22m+, funding Henry and a training ground; Anelka bounced through PSG, Liverpool, Man City, etc., earning “Le Sulk.”

Which Other Players Do Sources Highlight?

Pain in the Arsenal references early-Emirates sales: Henry, Fàbregas, Adebayor, van Persie (won title with United), Nasri. AllFootballapp details Nasri’s £24.8m Man City move for trophies; Willock’s £26.5m Newcastle permanent after loan heroics.

Sky Sports quotes Wenger on Yaya Touré:

“It would be at the top of my list of regrets.”

Mirror mentions regrets inversely, like Aubameyang, Torreira to Galatasaray.

Who Are Arsenal’s Greatest French Exits?

Pain in the Arsenal’s French players list overlaps regrets: Anelka (90 apps, 28 goals), Clichy to City, Giroud to Chelsea (105 goals), Sagna to City, Koscielny to Bordeaux. Petit (118 apps), Wiltord (49 goals).

Could Arsenal Avoid Future Regrets?

Current sales like Tavares eyed permanent exits post-loans. CannonStats discusses profit dynamics, e.g., Balogun £26m vs Højlund £65m. With Arteta challenging, retaining midfield like Xhaka’s calibre is crucial.

Arsenal’s academy risks, per Mirror: Martinelli, White potential sales for FFP. Fan debates on Reddit question Xhaka timing.