GIO IS A GOONER
After making over 100 appearances for Feyenoord, manager Dick Advocaat shelled out £5m in 1998 to take the stylish midfielder to Scotland. In his time at Ibrox, van Bronckhorst won two SPL titles and was part of three cup successes; Arsenal fans will be hoping he can match those feats in the English Premiership.
His last season at Rangers was severely hampered by injury, though his contributions when fit illustrate what a key player he was to the Light Blues. The Dutchman is renowned for his shooting from distance and one of his two SPL goals last season was a memorable strike from 25-yards against Dundee United.
Not only does van Bronckhorst provide a scoring threat from the midfield, his tidy distribution ensures that he can also create openings for his team-mates. Last season van Bronckhorst completed 78% of his passes and created two further goals for his side.
Rangers lost the title to their archrivals Celtic by a massive 15-point margin last season, and the absence of van Bronckhorst for much of the campaign seems inextricably linked this fact.
Before his groin injury flared up, the influential midfielder was at the heart of a promising opening to the Champions League group phase by the Gers, although the Ibrox outfit's venture into Europe was to ultimately end in failure.
In his four appearances in the Champions League, van Bronckhorst scored three goals and set up two others. The Ibrox man hit the target with an outstanding 71% of his efforts in Europe, whilst tucking away 43% of the chances that came his way. To prove that he can mix craft with graft, he also won an impressive 77% of his tackles.
The Dutchman's performances in Europe's premier club competition should appease any sceptics who may feel that Arsenal's latest signing has proved nothing by playing in Scotland. If his partnership with Frenchman Patrick Vieira lives up to it's potential, then the Gooners should be gunning for glory next term.
