His signature in Arsenal in the winter of 1997 had caused a lot of ink to flow. Just out of the PSG training center, Nicolas Anelka had not hesitated to turn his back on his training club to reach Arsenal for only 5 million francs. At only 16, the young attacker, crossed by Ian Wright and Dennis Bergkamp, ​​must be satisfied with crumbs as evidenced by his four meager appearances until the end of the season.
It will take an injury to the English striker the following season so that the native of hatches have a voice in the chapter. If he plays around forty matches in all competitions, Nicolas Anelka must nevertheless be satisfied with 9 goals and 6 assists on the season. The following will be that of the hatching for the Ile -de -France, who ends the exercise with 20 goals and 5 assists and a title of champion of England. Enough to mark the spirits and leave regrets.
“He could have been another Henry”
“” He was incredible that season. My God, he could have been another Thierry Henry if he had stayed at Arsenal, I promise you ”, recently entrusted his former teammate Ray Parlour, adding: “He could have been another Henry. He had speed, size and talent. But it was his choice. »»
Because become one of the team's major players, Nicolas Anelka nevertheless asked to leave the London club to reach Real Madrid for 35 million euros. The transplant has never taken with the Merengue and the tricolor striker was leaving it to join PSG a year later while Thierry Henry had followed up at the Gunners…
