What happened to the XI that started the most humiliating defeat in Arsenal’s proud history? We profile each player from Armand Traore to Andrey Arshavin.
No matter how much vitriol Arsene Wenger is currently facing from the banner-waving brigade, he can take some solace in the fact that it was once worse than this. Think back to 2011; replacing Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy with Mikel Arteta, Gervinho and Andre Santos was never likely to pacify a fan base increasing frustrated at a lack of on-field progress (sound familiar?).
But, if one day personified the New Testament of Wenger, it was the 28th of August 2011. Manchester United v Arsenal at Old Trafford. The day the Gunners, already wounded by injury and suspension, were blown to pieces, shooting themselves in the foot for good measure.
Welbeck. Young. Rooney. Rooney. Nani. Rooney. Park. Young. 8-2. Wenger’s heaviest defeat in his 15 years in English football. Arsenal’s heaviest defeat since 1896.
But what happened to those unfortunate souls tainted forever by such humiliation? Where is the squad of August 28 five years on?
Wojciech Szczesny
Apparently Arsenal’s next great shot-stopper, it became quickly apparent that the Pole was more Manuel Almunia than David Seaman. Yet, Szczesny remained an essential part of Wenger’s XI until very recently, winning two FA Cups and the Premier League Golden Glove award in 2014. However, after being ousted by first David Ospina and then Petr Cech, he is embarking on a second loan spell at Roma, rediscovering the form that made him one of Europe’s most highly rated young keepers.
Carl Jenkinson
The phrase baptism of fire had never seemed so relevant. Signed from Charlton Athletic mere weeks before the Old Trafford mauling, the 19-year-old boyhood fan with Arsenal posters on his bedroom wall was sent off at 6-2. After earning his one and only England cap in 2012, Jenkinson is back at the Emirates after falling out favour while on loan at West Ham. He’s 24 now. The ship is leaving the dock.
Armand Traore
We mentioned Arsenal’s endless raft of injuries and suspensions, right? Because that is pretty much the only reason Armand Traore played in this match. Aged 26, the Senegalese left-back is currently plying his trade at Nottingham Forest after five seasons at QPR. Just a reminder: he once played for Juventus.
Laurent Koscielny
Settling in a foreign league with a minimal grasp of the language is difficult enough. Yet, the fact Koscielny is now widely regarded as one of the finer centre-halves in the Premier League is testament to his rapid rise from the error-strewn youngster that started the most humiliating game in Arsenal’s history.
Johan Djourou
The same cannot be said for Johan Djourou. It’s a common argument that Arsene Wenger often trusts his players too much. Think Abou Diaby. Think Djourou. Averaging less than 10 appearances a season, the Swiss defender stayed at Arsenal for nine years. Nine! If anyone is interested, he’s now marshalling the backlines of Hamburg in middle-regions of the Bundesliga. He’s found his level.
Francis Coquelin
There’s a time and a place to make your Premier League debut. Old Trafford 2011 was not it. It is remarkable then, that Francis Coquelin has developed into a rather well-rounded football player although his disciplinary record hints at symptoms of shellshock. A key part of the Arsenal engine room these days, Coquelin adds some much needed steel to a fibreglass core.
Aaron Ramsey
Like so many of Arsenal’s squad, from Kieron Gibbs to Danny Welbeck via Jack Wilshere and Callum Chambers, there’s a real hope that we are yet to see the best of Aaron Ramsey. 16 goals in 2013/14 hinted at world-class tendencies, but his goal tally has dropped alarmingly since. Six in 40 appearances last season, just for context. Inspirational performances for Wales at Euro 2016, however, have raised hopes once more.
Theo Walcott
See above. To the disappointment of everyone of an Arsenal and England persuasion, the ‘new Thierry Henry’ remains very much Theo Walcott.
Andrey Arshavin
In 2008, Andrey Arshavin finished sixth in the Ballon D’Or voting after inspiring Russia to third place at Euro 2008. In 2009, Andrey Arshavin scored four at Anfield. And that’s pretty much it, his whole career defined over a three year period. After spells at Kuban Krasnodar and former club Zenit, the 35-year-old is now lining up for FC Kairat in the Kazakhstan Premier League.
Tomas Rosicky
Currently a free agent after ten injury-ruined seasons in England, watching ‘little Mozart’ orchestrating games with a swish and a swivel was a joy to behold. He will be missed.
Robin van Persie
From broken bones to knee knacks, Arsenal supported Robin van Persie through each and every one of his cumulative injuries during eight years in North London. Understandably, then, they weren’t too pleased when the Dutchman pitched up at Old Trafford. Van Persie, quite literally, added insult to injury. After inspiring United to Premier League glory in Sir Alex’s final season, he is now maintaining his remarkable ratio with Fenerbahce.
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