Not only was Arsenal’s decision to buy Park Chu-Young strange, but the actual process of the transfer was equally bizarre: the story goes that the striker was on the verge of signing for Lille, only for him to depart his hotel room and head to North London.
Park’s time for Arsenal saw him make just seven appearances, scoring a solitary goal, and it also saw the South Korea international head out on loan twice, playing for Celta Vigo and Watford. In fact, he actually made more appearances for those sides than the Gunners.
Wenger’s signing of Park is baffling because of the lack of playing time the striker received, despite the fact that the striker was bafflingly given the number nine shirt by the club - a move that would indicate they expected him to be an attacking threat.
Like Inamoto, there are accusations that Park Chu-Young was signed for marketing reasons, or that he was purchased as a panic buy after Arsenal’s 8-2 loss to Manchester United but whatever the reasons, it remains obvious that his was one of the oddest signings in Arsenal’s recent history.