Learn more

Arsenal icon Martin Keown has claimed that Arsene Wenger sold Nicolas Anelka to Real Madrid ‘too soon’ and let a ‘magnificent’ attacker leave Highbury in his youth. Anelka enjoyed just two-and-a-half years in north London before leaving the English capital for the Spanish capital. Wenger acquired the striker as a fresh-faced 17-year-old in 1997 for just £500k from Paris Saint-Germain. He was also the manager’s first signing as their coach. Yet Real Madrid soon swooped to snap him up in a £22m switch. The Gunners agreed to let the Galacticos pay Anelka’s transfer fee in four yearly instalments …

cuu