MX23RW : Wednesday, May 22 00:26:08| >> :120:7196:7196:

On this day: French striker Sylvain Wiltord moves to Arsenal

Fifteen years ago today, Arsenal completed the signing of striker Sylvain Wiltord from Bordeaux for a club-record fee.

He may not quite have done enough during his time in North London to be regarded a legend by Arsenal supporters, but Sylvain Wiltord did score one of the most important goals in the club's recent history.

The Frenchman's association with the Gunners started 15 years ago today when he finalised his switch from Bordeaux.

Sylvain Wiltord of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal on April 26, 2003© Getty Images

It had been a long drawn-out affair, with the Ligue 1 outfit demanding around £15m for a player that only weeks earlier had scored an injury-time equaliser for France in the Euro 2000 final that they would go on to win thanks to David Trezeguet's golden goal.

Although Arsenal never officially revealed the fee, it was reported that in the end around £13m changed hands, which made the 26-year-old the club's record signing.

Speaking about his new capture, manager Arsene Wenger said: "He's very mobile and can play as a target man. I can't imagine Thierry Henry playing 70 games a season, it would destroy him. He can play on the flanks, so he's really offensively multi-functional."

While Wenger was delighted to have landed his man, Bordeaux were not quite as impressed.

"We had long hoped Wiltord would be a man of his word but as he does not have any intention of respecting his obligations and engagements there is no longer a place at the club for a guy like that," said club president Jean-Louis Triaud.

"To have to lose Wiltord is a disappointment in sporting terms. We will miss his talent. But on the human level a lad who does not keep his word has no place at the club."

Wiltord would spend four years at Highbury, but for much of his stint he would be in the shadow of fellow centre-forward and countryman Henry, who was starting to grow in stature.

In total, Wiltord scored 49 goals in 175 appearances for Arsenal, while during the same time period Henry found the net on 125 occasions from his 208 outings.

Nevertheless, the goal that he scored at Old Trafford in May 2002 will forever be remembered by Arsenal fans.

When Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez parried Freddie Ljungberg's initial shot, Wiltord was on hand to turn in the rebound for the only goal of the game, which sealed the Premier League and FA Cup double.

ID:240315: cacheID:240315:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4637:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Freddie Ljungberg (L) of West Ham United is challenged by Simon Davies (R) of Fulham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Fulham at Upton Park on January 12, 2008
Read Next:
OTD: Arsenal's Ljungberg makes West Ham move
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!