Who are the best players in Arsenal history? Arsène Wenger once said “we don’t buy superstars, we make them”. When you look at our list, his right.
From Highbury to the Emirates, Arsenal’s historical philosophy of fast, fluid and creative play has made the club one of the most exciting to watch. Here’s the ten greatest players to ever play for Arsenal:
10. Freddie Ljungberg
Swede winger Freddie Ljunberg joined Arsenal from his boyhood club Halmstad in 1998 as one of Arsène Wenger’s first signings, despite the fact he never even saw him play and only on TV.
Two Premier League titles and three FA Cups later, Wenger’s decision was justified. Ljungberg became one of Arsenal’s best ever players with incredible skill, pace and most importantly, an eye for goal.
9. Marc Overmars
Dutch winger Marc Overmars joined the Arsenal revolution under Arsène Wenger from Ajax in 1997 and made an immediate impact with his incredible speed and constant threat down the flank.
The technically gifted Overmars played a key role in Arsenal’s success during the late 1990s. He helped the team win the league and cup double in 1998 before moving to Barcelona after three seasons at the club.
8. Liam Brady
Some consider Irishman Liam Brady as the most technically gifted player ever to play for Arsenal. After promotion from the youth team in 1973 he played 235 times for the club before a move to Juventus.
He had one of the greatest left feet ever for the club with excellent vision, immaculate control and precision passing. Brady never won the league but he did win two FA Cups at Arsenal.
7. David Seaman
Probably the best goalkeeper England has ever produced and of the best Arsenal players ever, David Seaman was a commanding presence in goal after arriving in QPR in 1990.
It didn’t take long to become one of the world’s greats across 13 seasons at Arsenal. He was instrumental in helping Arsenal to win three league titles, four FA Cups, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
6. Robert Pires
In a six-year period Robert Pires became one of the best Arsenal players of all time after arriving to replace Marc Overmars. His arrival was the final piece in Arsène Wenger’s puzzle for the perfect team.
Pires played with a silky touch that had a sexiness to it. He scored 84 goals and 53 assists from 284 games before leaving for Villarreal in 2006 after winning two titles, including playing a key part in the “Invincibles” team.
5. Ian Wright
Until Thierry Henry overtook him in 2005, Ian Wright was Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer with 185 goals. He did it all, from long-range strikes to poachers’ goals, and even scoring a hat-trick in his league debut.
Wright joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in 1991 and witnessed the transformation of the club under Arsène Wenger, winning the league and cup double in 1998 before departing to West Ham.
4. Patrick Vieira
After arriving from AC Milan in 2006, Patrick Vieira became the driving force in three Premier League crowds and four FA Cups for Arsenal with his physical presence and precision passing.
Serving the club as captain for most of his nine years at Arsenal with leadership skills that had everyone under his thumb, Viera featured 406 times, scoring 34 goals and registering 39 assists.
3. Tony Adams
Known as “Mr Arsenal”, Tony Adams was a genuine one-club player following promotion from the youth academy in 1983. He made a total of 669 total appearances and earned massive respect from Gunners fans for his commitment and attitude.
The former club captain was a rock at the back with a commanding presence and a Nostradamus level of ability to predict play. He helped guide the club to four league titles and three FA Cups in the process.
2. Dennis Bergkamp
One of the best Arsenal players and an Eredivisie icon Dennis Bergkamp epitomised the way the club played under Arsène Wenger. He played with an elegance that’s impossible to overstate, and control and finishing that’s beyond comprehension.
In 11 seasons at Highbury, Bergkamp scored 120 goals. He also won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, which included being a part of the famous “Invincibles” team.
1. Thierry Henry
Frenchman Thierry Henry is the greatest Arsenal player of all time. After joining from Juventus in 1999 he hit the ground running and smashed in 228 goals and 97 assists from 377 appearances.
Of those 228 goals, 175 were in the Premier League. Across nine seasons he won the Golden Boot four times as well as two titles. Henry’s speed, silky skill and finishing won him over every Premier League fan and created a generation of new Arsenal supporters.