Former Arsenal forward Jérémie Aliadière played a total of 302 games in his club career, and just 50 of these being for Arsenal.
Despite just 17% of his career games coming at the Gunners, he is still best known to English football fans as a former Arsenal player, despite playing more games for Middlesbrough after leaving the North London side.
Born in Rambouillet in 1993, Aliadière came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and made his debut for the first team in November 2001 against Grimsby Town in the League Cup.
His Premier League debut came just a few months later, in a 4-1 win over Fulham in February 2002.
He earned the nickname ‘The Young One’ early on in his career. Speaking to VAVEL via PlayFrank, Aliadière spoke of whether this was a title he enjoyed or if it was somewhat of a hinderance.
“I loved my time at Arsenal.
“You just want to play and want the senior players to like you and get everyone to think good of you.
"I understand why I’m not playing, but I wanted to play and it was tough. You learn from the likes of Henry and Bergkamp, so I had to be patient and I did get some game time.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Arsene Wenger the Arsenal Manager with Jeremie Aliadiere of Arsenal during the Premier league match between Arsenal and Fulham on February 23, 2002 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Aliadière played for Arsène Wenger during his time at Arsenal, someone who gave him his first-team debut.
In previous interviews, Aliadière referred to him as 'like a second father', and he is someone he still remains in contact with.
He spoke of the influence of Wenger on his career.
“Arsene was amazing for me. He was the best coach, always honest and such a nice man.
“He had time for everyone and I speak with him when I need to about my life, coaching. He had a massive influence on my career.”
Being part of the Invincibles team
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: (L-R) Thierry Henry, Jeremie Aliadiere, Patrick Vieira, Gael Clichy, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord and Pascal Cygan Arsenal's French players with the Premier League Trophy after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City on May 15, 2004 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
In May 2004, Arsenal created history by going the whole Premier League season unbeaten.
Aliadière qualified for a winners medal, having made 10 league appearances for the club that season. He spoke on the experience he had being around the squad during the campaign.
“It was the best. Our squad was incredible. We had such a strong mentality and it showed week in week out.
“All over the pitch we had winners, we had strong characters and amazing players. Arsene just made sure we were in good shape every game and we did the rest.”
Arsenal were glittered with an array of talent during their unbeaten season. They boasted players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pirès, Sol Campbell and Dennis Bergkamp amongst many others. Aliadière, one of the youngest players in the team, spoke about who the best players were in training.
“Robert Pires* was brilliant in training. Everyone was. We took training very seriously. Kolo Toure as well, what a player Sol, Gilberto, Patrick, everyone wanted to win, but we were a tight unit and all fought for each other.”*
As the years have gone by, a narrative has grown by football fans of Arsenal not having a great title winning seasons, mainly pointing to the 12 draws they had that season. Aliadière discussed this.
“It was an unbelievable achievement.
“Those last four games were probably the toughest we faced. We had won the league but our mentality was the same.
“We all wanted to keep winning and pushing. This team will go down in history and we played some outstanding football that season.”
Reaching the League Cup final with the youngsters
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 09: Julio Baptista (R) of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal to complete his hat trick with team mate Jeremie Aliadiere during the Carling Cup quarter final match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on January 9, 2007 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
As well as being part of an Arsenal squad that became Invicibles, Aliadière was part of a Gunners side that reached the 2007 League Cup final.
Wenger had decided to play the youngsters that season in the League Cup and was loyal to the players in the final.
Aliadière started the final in Cardiff, which Arsenal eventually lost 2-1 and had two men sent off in Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Adebayor after a scuffle during the game.
This was a tournament where Aliadière recorded three goals and four assists during six appearances. He spoke on his experience playing a big role in a team that reached the final despite playing the youngsters.
“That made it more real for me. Playing most of the game and reaching the final.
“We were unlucky in the final, coming up against a pretty much first team in Chelsea and we played most of the team who got us to the final.
"We played well. We had a good journey to the final with some huge performances and I scored a few goals too.”
As part of the run, Arsenal beat Liverpool 6-3 at Anfield. Aliadière opened the scoring in the win and recorded three assists, including two of Julio Baptista’s four goals.
Aliadière was asked whether this was the highlight of his Arsenal career.
“Yes, that is what people remember about me.
"This was a special game, a special team we had and to score at Anfield against a good Liverpool side was excellent. Baptista was also on our team and he was outstanding.”
The Celtic Park Experience and creating history in Europe
Arsenal's French forward Thierry Henry (L) celebrates with teammates compatriot Robert Pires (C) and Jeremie Aliadiere, 25 November 2003, at San Siro stadium in Milan, during the first leg match of the Champions League between Inter Milan and Arsenal. Arsenal beat Inter Milan 5-1. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HERTZOG (Photo by PATRICK HERTZOG / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP via Getty Images)
During his Arsenal career, Aliadière had various spells out on loan.
This includes loan spells at West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He also had a loan spell at Celtic. Whilst his time at the club lasted two months, failing to make a single Scottish Premier League appearance for the team, he did play two UEFAChampions League**** appearances for the Glaswegian side.
This was home and away ties in the Qualifying Round against Artmedia Bratislava.
Celtic Park has developed a reputation of having one of the best atmospheres on European nights. Legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer even called it ‘special’. Aliadière spoke on this experience.
“What a stadium to play in. It was incredible to play in the Champions League for Celtic.
“A great place to play, fans were amazing and there is nothing like the atmosphere when Celtic Park is loud.
‘A proud moment indeed.”
Speaking of European Football, Aliadière set up a goal for Robert Pires in Arsenal’s infamous 5-1 win away to Inter Milan at the San Siro. This is seen as one of the greatest performances in the club’s history.
Aliadière spoke of how it felt to be part of such as historic night.
“That is probably the other key moment Arsenal fans remember me by. That night was so special.
“We had lost to them in the home game and to win so comfortably away was awesome. The away fans were so loud. We were on fire that night. It was so good to be able to contribute on the big stage and I won’t forget that night.”