Arsenal have previously dipped into the free agent market to bolster their ranks. Mikel Arteta's squad are currently recruiting from a position of strength, but that should not deter the Gunners from pursuing potentially astute signings. The beginning of July saw eight Arsenal players officially depart the club upon the expiry of their contracts. Meanwhile, a number of high-profile names are also seeking their next destination.
The free agent pool currently features Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, former Juventus frontman Dusan Vlahovic and England centre-back John Stones. While the chances of any of those mentioned above actually joining the Gunners may differ, it underlines the quality of player that can be secured at no cost, rather than splashing out on sizeable transfer fees. However, it's an approach that has yielded mixed results for Arsenal down the years. Here's a look back at three former stars who arrived on a free transfer.
Marouane Chamakh: A Bright Start That Faded
Landing Marouane Chamakh on a free appeared to be a savvy piece of business from Arsene Wenger back in 2010. The Moroccan forward had netted 30 goals across his final two campaigns at Bordeaux and seemed perfectly primed to make his mark in the Premier League. He enjoyed a dream beginning in an Arsenal shirt, finding the net in two of his opening four league starts, while also scoring in three successive Champions League matches. There was optimism that the Gunners had secured a bargain, even though the striker was still adjusting to English football.
His fortunes began to decline in the second half of the season as Chamakh dropped out of the team, resulting in him finishing the season with 11 goals. A promising beginning with scope for development, but he was never able to rediscover that early spark from his debut campaign and became somewhat of a forgotten man in the Arsenal squad. In the first half of the 2012/13 season, Chamakh made just four appearances. Following 18 months as a fringe player, the former Bordeaux striker was loaned to West Ham before subsequently securing a permanent transfer to Crystal Palace in 2013.
Willian: A Disastrous Spell at the Emirates
Few could have anticipated just how disastrous Willian's spell with Arsenal would prove when he arrived from Chelsea in 2020. The Gunners had swooped for the Brazilian following his best league campaign at Stamford Bridge, notching nine goals and seven assists in 36 matches. It was believed that Willian would inject a winning mentality into Mikel Arteta's squad. The early indications were encouraging as the winger registered two assists against Fulham on his debut.
Yet that turned out to be a fleeting bright spot for the former Chelsea star, who chose to join Corinthians after just one season at the Emirates Stadium. "I wasn't happy [at Arsenal], I wasn't happy. That's why I didn't perform. I don't want to go into the details," Willian reflected on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel. "When I arrived there I was happy, from the beginning I was motivated, I wanted to do well - new club, new mates, new project. But after three months, I said to my agent: 'Please, I want to go.'"
Jens Lehmann: A Brief Return from Retirement
In the same season that Chamakh joined Arsenal, the Gunners turned to free agents once more to rescue them during a goalkeeping crisis. Arsenal manager Wenger persuaded former Gunner Jens Lehmann to emerge from retirement after successive injuries left Manuel Almunia without backup. The German shot-stopper was arguably an unsung hero during the club's legendary invincible campaign back in 2003/04. Lehmann was handed the huge responsibility of replacing the iconic David Seaman at Arsenal and made an immediate impact. He also guided the club to the 2006 Champions League final before receiving a red card against Barcelona.
His second spell at the club proved less memorable. The 41-year-old made a single appearance, bringing his Arsenal total to 200, before retiring for a second time at the end of the season.
