4. Kim Kallstrom
Everyone loves a cult hero, and Kim Kallstrom was one of those. Signed on loan by Arsene Wenger in 2014, the Sweden international only just managed to pass his medical. It was revealed in tests that he nursed a back injury, but a move to the Emirates Stadium was still pushed through.
Kallstrom made a couple of appearances from the bench before he was introduced to the match of all matches. It was an FA Cup final against Wigan Athletic and in extra time, when the Gunners were pushing for a win, the new man was called upon.
I remember watching this moment and letting out a sigh. Surely Wenger wasn’t going to put trust in Kallstrom at this stage of the most important match of the decade? Bear in mind, this was the Gunners’ chance to win their first bit of silverware since that invincible season.
But much to Kallstrom’s credit, he was given the responsibility of a penalty kick in the shootout and he prevailed, playing his part in what was Arsenal’s first trophy in over a decade.
Kallstrom isn’t going to go down in the history books at the Emirates Stadium and, in all fairness, if you mention his name to any Gunner, chances are they won’t know who you’re talking about. He left North London at the end of that season to return to Moscow, leaving his penalty shootout moment as his only notable involvement. However, he has spoken nothing but positive about the club since he left.
This one makes the list for its humorous nature. Why oh why were Arsenal so desperate to sign this unheard-of guy that they would ignore a back injury?!