Here, PA Sport looks at five of the Frenchman's best during his time in England with Arsenal, Bolton, Liverpool, Manchester City and the Blues.

November 2006, Bolton 3 Arsenal 1

Bolton pulled off a coup by signing the much-travelled striker from Fenerbahce for £8million in the summer of 2006. He took a while to settle at the Reebok but came to life spectacularly against his former club. Anelka's first league goal for Wanderers in first-half stoppage time saw him cut inside on the left flank and unleash a 25-yard strike that flew past Jens Lehmann into the top corner. He then scored the clinching goal in the 75th minute with another clinical effort.

May 2003, Liverpool 1 Manchester City 2

Anelka switched to City in the summer of 2002 after Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier decided not to turn his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain into a permanent one. The striker responded by scoring twice at Anfield to prevent Liverpool qualifying for the Champions League. The first came from the penalty spot after he was fouled but the second was a peach of a goal as he lashed a volley into the net in injury time to give City their first win at Anfield for 22 years.

November 1997, Arsenal 3 Manchester United 2

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger paid £500,000 for a teenage Anelka in February 1997. He scored his first goal for the club in a memorable victory over United at Highbury, firing a low effort inside the near post from 20 yards. He went on to score in the Gunners' FA Cup final victory over Newcastle in May 1998 and when he moved on to Real Madrid in 1999, Arsenal pocketed £23million.

November 2008, Blackburn 0 Chelsea 2

Anelka made little immediate impact following his £15million switch from Bolton to Chelsea last January. However, it was a different story at the start of this season, with Didier Drogba's injuries thrusting Anelka into the spotlight. The Frenchman responded by jumping to the top of the scoring charts. Probably the pick of his goals was a terrific dinked finish at a rain-drenched Ewood Park after he ran onto a ball from Frank Lampard.

December 2004, Manchester City 1 West Brom 1

Anelka's trademark goals normally involve his explosive pace and clinical finishing but this effort showed he can be just as deadly from set-pieces. When Andy Johnson handled outside the box, the Frenchman curled an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner.