- Cesc Fàbregas made his debut against Panathinaikos in 2004, at the age of 17 years and 5 months. He went on to become one of the most successful midfielders in Arsenal’s history.
- Theo Walcott made his debut against FC Porto in 2006, at the age of 17 years and 6 months. He became a regular in the Arsenal team and scored over 100 goals for the club.
- Aaron Ramsey made his debut against Fenerbahce in 2008, at the age of 17 years and 9 months. He went on to become a key player for Arsenal and won the FA Cup twice.
- Jack Wilshere made his debut against Dynamo Kyiv in 2008, at the age of 16 years and 10 months. He was one of the most promising young players in England, but injuries have hampered his career.
- Gedion Zelalem made his debut against Galatasaray in 2014, at the age of 17 years and 3 months. He was tipped for big things, but he has since struggled to break into the Arsenal team.
Arsène Wenger gave Arsenal debuts to 200 players during his time as manager, from Paulo Vernazza in 1997 to Konstantinos Mavropanos in 2018. In that time, he saw some of the best young talent in the world come through his ranks, and he gave them the opportunity to showcase their skills on the biggest stage.
Some of the players who made their debuts under Wenger went on to become stars for Arsenal, such as Cesc Fàbregas, Theo Walcott, and Aaron Ramsey. Others, such as Jack Wilshere and Gedion Zelalem, showed great promise but were ultimately unable to live up to their potential.
But regardless of whether they went on to become world-beaters or not, all of the players who made their debuts under Wenger will have fond memories of their time at Arsenal. They will remember the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they will remember the man who gave them their chance.
Wenger’s policy of giving young players a chance was one of the things that made him such a successful manager. He was always willing to put his faith in youngsters, and he was often rewarded for his gambles.
Of course, not every youngster who made their debut under Wenger went on to be a success. But even those who didn’t achieve their full potential will still have benefited from the experience of playing for Arsenal.
Wenger’s 200 debuts are a testament to his ability to spot talent and to give young players a chance. They are also a reminder of the many great players who have come through the Arsenal academy in recent years.
Here are some of the most memorable debuts under Wenger:
These are just a few of the many young players who made their debuts under Wenger. His policy of giving youngsters a chance helped to make Arsenal one of the most successful clubs in England, and it will be remembered as one of his greatest achievements.
