Patrick Vieira
© Offside
One of the all-time great Premier League midfielders, Patrick Vieira was recruited from AC Milan in a £3.5m deal in 1996, becoming not only one of Wenger's first signings but also one of his very best.
Vieira captained the Gunners to three Premier League titles and was the focal point of their famous Invincibles campaign, writing his name in club folklore in the process.
Some argue that Arsenal never truly replaced the Frenchman upon his departure to Juventus in 2006 - at a £10m profit - explaining their relative lack of silverware in the 12 years since.
On top of driving the team forward, Vieira also chipped in with the occasional memorable goal, including in the 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane that sealed the title in that famous 2003-04 campaign.
Daniel Lewis
