Nicolas Anelka found it hard to escape the accusations of his early career. An almost impossibly precocious talent, he burst onto the scene as a teenager with his raw ability captivating an English audience.
In the infancy of Anelka’s career in the Premier League he was an exhilarating watch, boasting electric speed and an ice-cold composure that belied a forward taking his first steps in one of Europe’s most demanding divisions.
Anelka began his career in the academy system of Paris Saint-Germain, a club with a long and proud history of unearthing gems from within the suburbs of the French capital. PSG were unable to reap the rewards of their faith in the forward, however, who crossed the channel to sign for Arsenal in 1997.

  Arsene Wenger’s side was beginning to take shape and he added Anelka to his increasingly Gallic Gunners in north London, another unproven talent who would soon prove his worth.
After a handful of appearances during his first months in England, Anelka broke into the side during the 1997/98 campaign. Untested but undaunted, he scored nine goals in all competitions to help Arsenal to a domestic double, scoring a number of crucial goals during the run-in.
The 17-year-old had taken to senior football like the proverbial duck to water, scoring a crucial opener in a 3-2 win over title rivals Manchester United and the second as Newcastle were beaten in the FA Cup final.
His electric emergence had raised the excitement levels in north ...