Just the One: Arsenal's Lonely Spot in Premier League Champions' Dream XI

When you compile the finest acquisitions ever made by Premier League champions, the picture that emerges is rather telling: Arsenal have managed to squeeze in exactly one player.

The Gunners, meanwhile, are poised to receive a transfer kitty comparable to last summer's spending as Mikel Arteta seeks to construct a dynasty capable of finally conquering the Champions League. They'll be hoping to add genuine quality rather than repeating the mistakes of champions past.

The Goalkeeper's Gloves

David de Gea's journey at Manchester United reads like a redemption arc. Sir Alex Ferguson backed his "outstanding replacement for Van der Sar" despite early wobbles—the high balls, the flying strikers, the occasional moment of bewilderment. Yet the Spanish custodian eventually transcended those teething troubles to become an institution between the posts, even if his final years proved less kind than his peak suggested.

The Right-Back Conundrum

Here's the thing about Premier League champions: they rarely prioritise the right-back position. The competition for this slot was minimal, with Joao Cancelo offering the closest alternative—which rather says it all. Ashley Young gets the nod, though he spent most of his Manchester United years operating as a winger before Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho transformed him into a dogged defender. Under Ferguson, he managed eight goals and eleven assists across 56 appearances before that glorious 2017 Treble triumph with Marouane Fellaini on the receiving end of countless crosses.

Arsenal are "almost guaranteed" to finally address this weakness.

Centre-Back Royalty

Ronny Johnsen's initial rejection of Manchester United in winter 1995 proved pivotal—had he accepted, William Prunier's brief spell might never have occurred. The Norwegian's loyalty to Besiktas only hardened Ferguson's resolve. When Steve Bruce departed, Johnsen stepped in, and while injuries limited his availability, his 150 appearances across six seasons yielded trophies aplenty. In the Treble season, he started all three decisive final matches, earning Ferguson's praise as one of the most underrated players he ever managed.

Mikael Silvestre arrived with the unenviable task of joining the 1998/99 champions. The versatile Frenchman proved an unsung hero, covering injuries and transitions with understated competence. His four Premier League titles and subsequent Arsenal deployment made him a remarkable servant to United.

The Left-Back Masterclass

Ashley Cole's departure from Arsenal stung initially. The £55,000-a-week rejection ranked, but in hindsight, his move to Chelsea represented a logical career progression. Five trophies in six years at Highbury paled beside the pull of Roman Abramovich's ambitions. At Stamford Bridge, Cole accumulated seven additional medals, finally securing that Champions League, Europa League and League Cup collection he'd coveted.

The Wingers' Wings

Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival reads like folklore. Following a pre-season friendly against Sporting in 2003—a match that proved fateful—Manchester United moved swiftly. Within six days of that encounter, Ferguson had his man. Six years later, Ronaldo departed as a world-record sale and multiple-time Premier League champion. Chris Iwelumo never stood a chance.

Freddie Ljungberg's signing allegedly stemmed from Arsene Wenger watching him in a Euro 2000 qualifier between Sweden and England, though the reality involved months of scouting at Halmstad. Regardless, the Swede scored on his debut against Manchester United and became instrumental in Arsenal's 2002 Double and the Invincibles era two years later.

The Midfield Maestros

Roy Keane's arrival represented a record-breaking hijack when Blackburn's paperwork fell through in 1993. The Irishman's 12-year tenure yielded a dozen trophies and two Player of the Year awards, alongside a reputation for withering post-retirement commentary that proved equally valuable.

Rodri's Manchester City trajectory followed a familiar pattern: difficult first season, then four consecutive title triumphs. The Spaniard's record-signing status proved justified as Pep Guardiola's midfield anchor, though injury eventually halted his remarkable run.

The Strikeforce

Ruud van Nistelrooy's prolific record speaks volumes. Three trophies for 150 goals across 219 appearances represents a staggering return, even if he departed with just one Premier League title to show for his relentless excellence. He outscored Dwight Yorke's 1999/2000 benchmark in three seasons and matched it in another, claiming a solitary Golden Boot in the process.

Erling Haaland's four-year spell has already rendered such discussions almost quaint. His record-breaking output has been normalised to the point where Manchester City followers barely blink anymore. Stepping seamlessly into Sergio Aguero's shadow, Haaland has scored so prolifically that the annual "Are City Better Without Him?" discourse barely registers before he reboots and resumes his relentless goalscoring.