Unai Emery’s time at Arsenal won’t really be viewed with too much affection by Arsenal fans.

It was always going to be a difficult act to keep up with Arsene Wenger, even with the Professor’s struggles during his final years at the club.

In just a year and a half at the helm, Emery made a number of key transfer decisions as he tried to make his own mark on the Arsenal squad. He is credited with promoting Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to the first team, as well as signing Gabriel Martinelli, who have all become fan favorites in North London.

However, he was also convicted for letting go of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, both considered “Arsenal through and through”.

At the end of his term there was a consensus that he needed to move on, but many still wish him luck.

Here’s a look at what the 18 players Emery sold have been up to since.

Jack wilshere

Every Arsenal fan knew Wilshere’s love story would one day end – a bit prematurely, too.

Still, they were hopeful that Emery would consider keeping him on a paid basis after he returned to Wenger’s side in the months leading up to the Spaniard’s arrival.

Wilshere joined West Ham on a free transfer after being released, but has since parted ways with the Hammers following several other injury issues.

Then, after a long period as a free agent, Wilshere returned to AFC Bournemouth – where he had spent a year on loan – with a short-term contract but was released at the end of the 2020/21 season. .

Santi Cazorla

Fans were saddened to see Cazorla leave in July 2018, but there was little they could do when the Spaniard asked to be released from his contract following career-threatening injuries.

His return to Villarreal was a success and his performances even earned him a recall to the Spanish national team.

He has since signed for Al Sadd to play under Barcelona legend and former teammate Xavi, and has once again shown why he is considered one of the most gifted midfielders of the Emirates era.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide

Emery let Reine-Adelaide walk for just £ 2million when he made his loan at Angers permanent in the summer of 2018.

After an impressive season with them he joined Lyon on a contract worth £ 24million and showed why he was once meant to be the next big thing at Arsenal.

Chuba Akpom

Another Hale End graduate, Akpom never really made the senior squad, but still managed to become an Invincible after winning the Greek Superleague with PAOK without losing a game in the 2018/19 season.

It was the club’s first league title in 34 years.

Lucas Perez

Perez followed Wilshere to West Ham in a deal worth £ 4million in 2018, but the striker had no impact at the London stadium and moved to Deportivo Alaves on same year.

Although he initially touched the ground with Alaves, he only managed to touch the net four times in La Liga last season.

Joel campbell

After six loans in seven years, Campbell’s Arsenal career finally came to an end when he was sold to Italy’s Frosinone team in 2018.

The Costa Rica winger made just 11 starts before being loaned to Mexican side Leon, with whom he has since moved permanently.

Josh dasilva

Brentford benefited from Arsenal’s mismanagement of contracts when they signed Dasilva for free in 2018.

He has been instrumental in their success ever since and we can expect to see more of what he did in the Premier League next season.

Gedion Zelalem

Another player tipped for greatness in the Emirates, Zelalem was not liked by Emery and after making no first-team appearances, he was cleared to join Kansas City in MLS in March 2019.

It wasn’t exactly a success either and he has since moved to New York City on a free transfer.

Aaron ramsey

Perhaps the most controversial start under Emery, Ramsey signed for Juventus on a free transfer in 2019 after spending 11 years in north London.

Letting him go was arguably the Spaniard’s biggest mistake and the Gunners still haven’t properly replaced his midfield goals.

He didn’t have the easiest time in Turin but still won a handful of top honors, including the Serie A title.

Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal fans know what it’s like to see a captain leave, but it was always surprising to see Koscielny refuse to go on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States in order to pass a transfer to Bordeaux .

The 35-year-old was a regular in his first season at the club but is reportedly looking to move on after the club broke his promises.

Danny Welbeck

Another high profile release under Emery.

The club allowed him to make a short trip through London Colney’s training ground to Watford for nothing in the summer of 2019, but the club were relegated the following season.

Welbeck has since returned to some form under Graham Potter at Brighton and is preparing for a new Premier League season.

Stephane Lichtsteiner

Arriving in the Emirates to be a mainstay of Arsenal’s defense, Lichtsteiner left in the summer of 2019, just one year after his arrival.

He joined the German Augsburg squad immediately after that, but has since decided to retire after almost 20 years as a professional.

Krystian Bielik

Although they never made a Premier League appearance for the Gunners, fans were disappointed to see Bielik leave the club for good when he joined County Derby for around £ 10million.

The Poland international has shown glimpses of his potential in the championship, but after a tough 2020/21 campaign, which saw Derby survive on the last day, it’s fair to say that Arsenal may have actually had for his money this time around.

Alex Iwobi

Arguably the best selling Emery made was that of Iwobi.

The winger hasn’t really reached new heights at Everton since he struck a deal worth £ 34million and his replacement, Saka, has stepped up his efforts to win the Player of the Day award. Arsenal season.

A win-win.

David Ospina

After spending Emery’s first season on loan at Napoli, Ospina made his move permanent in 2019.

The Colombian initially split his time with 24-year-old Alex Meret but became the team’s first-choice goalkeeper under Gennaro Gatusso due to his superior ability with the ball on his feet.

Nacho Montreal

A few eyebrows rose when Emery cleared Monreal to join Real Sociedad.

The Spaniard scored on his competitive debut for his new team and helped them win the Copa del Rey in the same season.

He has shown the kind of consistency that has earned him so much respect in the Emirates, and Arsenal fans certainly hope that can continue.

Takuma Asano

You would be forgiven for forgetting that Asano was never an Arsenal player, as the Japanese forward has never played for the Gunners due to issues with his work permit.

The club decided to cut their losses when Partizan Belgrade knocked on the door in August 2019, where he now remains.

Carl Jenkinson

Jenkinson made his childhood dream of playing for Arsenal come true, but there were few complaints when he finally left for Nottingham Forest.

The 29-year-old struggled to touch down at City Ground as injuries also cut his time there.