Gilberto Silva
© Offside
A player whose importance was perhaps best felt upon leaving North London, Gilberto Silva proved to be one of the shrewdest pieces of transfer business in the Premier League era.
Signed for £4.5m from Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, the midfield enforcer proved a calming presence and offered leadership qualities that Arsenal have pretty much lacked ever since his departure a decade ago.
Gilberto would go on to make 244 appearances for the club overall, including 32 outings as part of the 2003-04 Invincibles campaign, and he even chipped in with 10 goals three seasons later to highlight his longevity.
The 93-cap Brazil international would later take on vice-captain duties at a time of transition for Arsenal, eventually leaving with three major honours to his name.
