Arsene Wenger Names Arsenal Player He Most Regrets Selling

• Arsene Wenger had the privilege of managing some of the best footballers in Europe during his 22-year reign as Arsenal boss
• The Frenchman also had expertise in headhunting prospects who would eventually shoot to prominence
• His reign at the Emirates was marked with more than 500 departures
• Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, William Gallas and Van Persie are among the top players who left under Wenger's watch

Arsene Wenger has finally opened up about his transfer business while serving as Arsenal manager.

Wenger is widely credited for his role in leading the Gunners to become the European football powerhouse they are today.

The legendary French manager spent more than 20 years at Emirates as Arsenal boss, helping them win numerous domestic titles.

Wenger's Arsenal career

During his illustrious stint, the 72-year-old managed to coach some of the finest footballers at the time, as well as nurturing several youngsters who went on to become world superstars.

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Like every other football club, Wenger's tenure was marked with the arrival of many players and departures of key players no one would allow leaving.

Unlike the second half of his spell at Arsenal, Wenger's first full season in charge yielded a number of successes inspired by the famous back five which featured Tony Adams and David Seaman and complemented by exciting foreign imports.

Wenger's transfer business

Much like his managerial expertise, Wenger's transfer business was unrivalled as he made some of the best signings while in charge.

Key among the players the Frenchman headhunted include Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas among others.

Incredibly, despite helping many of them shoot to prominence, few were willing to stick by him as others departed for greener pastures and in search of more glory.

But when asked which transfer left him with regrets, Wenger revealed Anelka's exit to Real Madrid remains the most regrettable.

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"My biggest regret and shame is that Anelka left. He could have been special, instead, he played for 13 clubs," Wenger admitted as quoted by Metro UK.

Anelka's Real Madrid move

Anelka, who had cost Arsenal just £500,000 when he arrived earned the north Londoners a staggering £22.5 million profit by the time he was joining Real Madrid.

The Frenchman spent just two years with Arsenal between 1997-1999 before moving to the Spanish capital with Real.

However, he failed to live up to his billing at Real, managing just two goals in 19 appearances and was subsequently shipped to PSG.

He would later feature for several English clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea before his retirement with Mumbai City FC.