Anelka explains Arsenal exit

In-form striker reveals why he quit Gunners

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 23rd November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Anelka explains Arsenal exit

Anelka: Fans to blame for Gunners exit

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Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has finally revealed that the reason behind his decision to leave Arsenal was because the Gunners fans did not appreciate him enough.

Arsenal supporters were left in disbelief when Anelka, after just two seasons in the Premier League, left to join Real Madrid for £23million in 1999.

Anelka has claimed that he became angered when he found out that Arsenal fans did not believe he was the man to succeed Ian Wright.

All this came after the Frenchman had scored nine goals in his first season at Highbury and 22 the following campaign.

Anelka also helped the Gunners to a league and cup double in 1998, scoring in the FA Cup final against Newcastle, but still the 29-year-old felt unloved at the club.

He told the News of the World: "When I started the season there was a poll because I had taken the place of Ian Wright.

"I thought the fans really wanted it to be me and were pleased with me. But seeing the result in the papers and on TV hit me hard because I had done things for nothing.

"I thought 'So that's how it is. This is how you thank me. Okay now you watch what is going to happen. I am going to play, score my goals and just when you are saying Anelka, Anelka that's when I'm going to leave.'

"And that is exactly what I did because I was furious with them."

Anelka was named PFA Young Player of the Year at the end of his final season with the Gunners and the Chelsea striker confessed that telling Arsene Wenger of his desire to leave was one of the hardest things he has had to do.

He added: "I am not saying I was ashamed, but I felt something and had no wish to tell him face to face that I wanted to go.

"It's as if it was a betrayal. I didn't want to tell him because he represented someone extraordinary in my life."

Anelka is the top scorer in the Premier League this season with 12 goals as he looks to pick up his first championship medal since the one he won at Arsenal ten years ago.

Since leaving Arsenal the striker has played for Real Madrid, PSG, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbache, Bolton and Chelsea, clocking up a combined total of £87million in transfer fees.

Comments (16)

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Rinaldi Jofika (Chelsea fan) says...

Anelka was young at that time. But now he is more wiser. He still have a lot to proof that he is one of the top striker around.

Posted 08:10 24th November 2008

Raymond Nyamuziwa (Arsenal fan) says...

Is this not the same guy who said (earlier this season) that the biggest mistake he ever made was leaving Arsenal? This guy needs help. What took him so long to come out? It is not like Arsenal fans were going to hunt him down. Get a life and get over yourself Nicolas. No one really cares about your sorry ego and hurt pride. Be a man. Life is not a bed of roses.

Posted 06:53 24th November 2008

Theo Paphitis (Arsenal fan) says...

Yes, the reason anelka left arsenal was because the fans didnt appreciate him, nothing to do with the fact that his brothers were his agents and they made a mint ouit of every transfer he went through. Whats weirder is, in an interview a few months ago anelka said the biggets mistake he ever made was leaving arsenal. Make up your mind sulky.

Posted 23:17 23rd November 2008

Fred Hamer (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Anelka is a hypocrite when he says the love of the fans was priority.He was idolised at Bolton so why did he leave for Chelsea? Because like most imports, he is a mercenary and the love of money far outweighs what he feels about the fans. He probably got offered a better deal at Real and thats why he left. Well done Wenger, Henry was the prize, better footballer and much nicer guy.

Posted 21:59 23rd November 2008

Kelvin Mukabi (Arsenal fan) says...

Lets not rubbish Anelka. He did good for Arsenal though the motivation for scoring the goals was wrong but all the same they were goals and we won a double. He was just a teenager. I bet he would act in a different way if it is now. He was still growing up

Posted 19:29 23rd November 2008

James Wright (Arsenal fan) says...

The way Anelka felt is probably how Adebayor must have felt when Thierry Henry left. These things happen and he wont be won over by the fans immediately.

Posted 19:04 23rd November 2008

Tim Bahrain gooner (Arsenal fan) says...

Who is Anelka kidding? He has had more clubs than most Golf players! He appears to be cashing in on Arsenal's current difficulties. He knows well that the reason he left Arsenal was the greed of him and his two brothers, who were his agents at the time. All he was interested in was money. He could not care less about the fans. Fortunately, Arsenal received a fantastic offer and we cashed in on him to cut our losses. We then bought a comparatively unknown player: Theirry Henry, the rest is history! However, with people like Anelka and some of his contemporaries, with so much greed and contempt for the clubs and the supporters, most supporters will become disenchanted. There will be less money in the game, and what goes round comes round, and eventually the rewards will diminish substantially for professional footballers, and their agents. This is no more than they deserve!

Posted 18:36 23rd November 2008

James Pickard (Arsenal fan) says...

Rubbish! He went for the big bucks offered by real madrid!

Posted 18:32 23rd November 2008

Temi (Arsenal fan) says...

Is he trying to wind us up? Was it not down to the fact that Real Madrid spent the whole summer tapping him up. They got caught red-handed negotiating with Anelka which in turn led them to having to pay Arsenal exorbitant amounts to buy him as opposed to receiving strong retribution from FIFA. Anelka, we had gratitude for what you did for the club in your 2 seasons. But you don't get proper respect after 2 seasons you get it after seasons of consistent performances. Look at how players like Adams, Bergkamp, Henry and Vieira are revered at Arsenal. They earnt that after 10 years. Not just because of one good year. How about all the times when he's expressed how it was the biggest mistake of his life to leave Arsenal? Fans aren't stupid, so don't try and treat us like that. You're wandering into Cashley territory.

Posted 18:18 23rd November 2008

Daniel O'connell (Chelsea fan) says...

I think Anelka is going to be one of the great "what ifs" of football as he is getting on a bit in footballing terms he isnt going to get better he is just going to slowly go backwards in terms of fitness etc. I find him an iritation at times along with many european (specially french and german) players who feel they have to moan and sulk and generally be a pain in the a**se unlike british players who get up and get on with the game. I honestly think he should of stuck it out at arsenal but then again with the teams perfomance this season and the fact that they seem to be well past their best maybe he made the right choice. I totally respect wenger but arsenal need some new fresh ideas they could only get with a new manager he has become dated and doesnt seem to want to change what was once successful but now isnt.

Posted 18:16 23rd November 2008

Rhys Jaggar (Arsenal fan) says...

Mr Anelka's reaction was that of a young man without understanding. Understandable, because that is what he was. Fans are won over, they don't immediately hail as the new Messiah an unknown teenager. It's normal for many to have doubts, because football is a game where nothing is for certain. There is a difference between people expressing doubts and saying that he was rubbish, though. A sad explanation in my view. But what's done is done.

Posted 16:41 23rd November 2008

Michael Rahman (Arsenal fan) says...

Let's be honest here...bought for £500K sold two years later for £23million!!!...Fantastic bit of business from Wenger! And to top it all he used the money from Anelka's sale to purchase a certain Thierry Henry who only scored 226 goals in his illustrious Arsenal Career!...I know who got the better end of the deal... Just to sign off Anelka has never hit more than 30 goals in a full season!...is he a top striker????...remains to be seen eventhough he is now 29 years of age...As far as Arsenal fans are concerned the Incredible Sulk is old news!

Posted 16:41 23rd November 2008

Anelka Hater (Arsenal fan) says...

And I bet you didnt feel "wanted" at Real Madrid, PSG, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbache or Bolton eh?

Posted 16:39 23rd November 2008

Ben Thomson (Arsenal fan) says...

Sorry but who exactly does this guy think he is? The biggest mistake he ever made in his career was to leave arsenal and that has been proved over the years, 8 different clubs in total is a bit of a joke and says something about him surely? Thank you for leaving anyway you fool because we replaced you with the one and only Henry, twice the player Anelka will ever be.

Posted 16:04 23rd November 2008

Alex . (Arsenal fan) says...

You dont become a folk hero after 2 seasons The end

Posted 15:45 23rd November 2008

James Caan (Arsenal fan) says...

I am devastaed that Anelka can say that because i thought he was a great player and i really appreciated him. Not all the supporters appreciated him but some did so how can he say that. I am devastated but what i can say that he is great player and he is having a good season so far.

Posted 15:40 23rd November 2008
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