There are plenty of reasons to look forward to Saturday’s Premier League meeting between old rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium. Rarely have both clubs gone into a North London derby in such rude health, after all.
It’s Harry Kane vs Gabriel Jesus. Heung-Min Son vs Bukayo Saka. The experience of Antonio Conte against the exuberance of Mikel Arteta.
And if this latest meeting is even half as enthralling as that iconic 4-4 draw from all the way back in 2008, well that would be some way to welcome the Premier League’s return following the September international break.
But what became of the Arsenal team who threw away a 3-1 and 4-2 lead against their bitter rivals 14 years ago? From LA to Russia’s third tier, where are they now?
Manuel Almunia
It’s fair to say the Spaniard will not go down alongside the likes of David Seaman and Patt Jennings in the pantheon of goalkeeping greats in North London. Almunia, once bizarrely considered for an England call-up (yes things really were that desperate), was far from the most consistent of shot-stoppers, letting Tottenham back into the game by spilling the ball straight at Darren Bent’s feet that night in 2008.
Per the Daily Mail, Almunia has since been earning his living as a translator at Abu Dhabi-based outfit Al Jazira.
Bacary Sagna
Capped 65 times by France, former Arsneal and Manchester City stalwart Sagna is one of the more underrated full-backs of the Premier League era; a solid defender and an excellent crosser of the ball from the right-hand side.
Retiring in 2020 after a spell in Montreal, Sagna is now working as a pundit for a variety of publications and channels.
Mikael Silvestre
Best remembered for his time at Old Trafford rather than the Emirates, Silvestre had spells in Germany, America and India after leaving Arsenal in 2010. The former France international is a straight-talking pundit these days following a brief stint as the sporting director at Rennes – during which he helped oversee the development of one Ousmane Dembele.
“He could win the Ballon d’Or,” Silvestre told France Football of a teenage Dembele at the time. “I saw Cristiano Ronaldo arrive at the same age at Manchester United and Ousmane has characteristics that remind me of young Cristiano.”
William Gallas
A superb centre-half in his playing days, the defenders of Zalaegerszeg certainly fell on their feet when Gallas surprisingly took on a coaching role at the Hungarian outfit last year. Gallas, who famously inherited Denis Bergkamp’s iconic ’10’ shirt at Arsenal in an insult to number-loving nit-pickers everywhere, is one of only a few players to represent Chelsea, Tottenham and The Gunners.
Gael Clichy
The fourth and final member of Arsene Wenger’s all-Frence back-four. Clichy, like Sagna, moved to Manchester when his time in the capital came to an end. Now 37, the veteran left-back is still going strong. Clichy, after winning the Turkish Super Lig title with Istanbul Basaksehir, joined Swiss side Servette two yers ago.
Theo Walcott
You’d be forgiven for forgetting that, technically speaking, Theo Walcott is still a Premier League player. Not that he’s done much playing of late, however. The 33-year-old hasn’t kicked a ball in anger for Southampton this term.
Walcott missed out on a move to Championship surprise-packages Reading over the summer.
Cesc Fabregas
Perhaps the 2010 World Cup winner could follow Dion Dublin into the daytime TV game when he hangs up his boots. The new host of A Place in the Sun perhaps? From London to Barcelona, Monaco to Como, few footballers have played in quite so many glamorous locations as Cesc Fabregas.
Denilson
Ready to feel old? Denilson is now 34 years old. And, to be honest, his post-Arsenal career has had about as many highlights as Nick Swardsen’s filmography. Denilson has been without a club since 2021. And, in a twist few would have been expecting, has set about creating a Brazil-based academy partnered with, of course, non-league outfit Gillingham Town (The Guardian).
Samir Nasri
Remember when Samir Nasri played for West Ham? If not, we don’t really blame you. Now a pundit back home in his native France, Nasri’s decline since his twinkle-toed peak has made for rather sad viewing.
Robin van Persie
Imagine, for a second, that you’re a young striker honing your talents at your boyhood club. And your coach is one of the most iconic footballers in the country; one who began his glorious career in the very same training ground. Robin van Persie turned down the chance to join Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United revolution over the summer in favour of staying at his beloved Feyenoord.
And 15-year-old Shaqueel van Persie is clearly learning a thing or two from his father.
Emmanuel Adebayor
There’s well-travelled footballers, and then there’s Emmanuel Adebayor. The former Togo targetman has spent the last few years embarking upon something of a world tour, enjoying spells in Turkey, Paraguay and back home in Africa. The 38-year-old’s AC Semassi side are currently seventh in the Togolese top flight.
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