Arsenal’s Greatest Premier League XI
Few clubs can match Arsenal for history, prestige or the size of their trophy cabinet – even if they no longer pack the punch of a super heavyweight.
Arsene Wenger may have angered many by clinging on to his job for yet another season, but the Frenchman once steered them to three Premier League titles and brought many of the game’s greats to north London.
An unprecedented seven FA Cups and a European final has made his tenure remarkably successful, and he will go down as a legend – however his career at the club ends.
There was once a time when they went toe-to-toe with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United and won – including that unbeaten Premier League season.
Six of that team make it into our Greatest Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1) – while there are a couple of retro additions for fans to enjoy.
David Seaman
David Seaman may be known by most for ‘that Ronaldinho goal’ from the 2002 World Cup – but the England international was one of the Premier League’s best keepers for years.
A vocal presence, calm under the high ball and a superb shot-stopper, Seaman was a key player for Wenger in his first few years in charge.
They have never quite replaced the mustachioed hero, although Petr Cech has brought some solidity to the position, highlighting just how key Seaman was.
Lee Dixon
The most talented? Certainly not, but Lee Dixon was a key piece in that famous Arsenal back four.
Dependable at the back and dangerous in attack, Dixon was so consistent he racked up over 450 appearances for the Gunners in 14 years.
He went out on a high, winning the Premier League title in 2002 – alongside captain Tony Adams.
Tony Adams
With his management career failing spectacularly, it is easy to forget how great a player Tony Adams was.
The centre-back was a one-club man, a term anyone under 15 will probably have to Google, and made over 500 appearances at the heart of the famous Arsenal back four.
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The Englishman was made skipper at just 21 and led the team with distinction, winning four league titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups in a distinguished career.
Sol Campbell
He may have joined from arch-rivals Tottenham, but Sol Campbell quickly became a Gunners legend at the heart of the defence.
With Tony Adams just a year away from retirement, Wenger needed a new leader at the back – and he pounced to sign the quick, agile, muscular England international on a free transfer in 2001.
Alongside Kolo Toure, Campbell was the glue at the back as Arsenal won two league titles in three seasons and back-to-back FA Cups.
He also scored in the final of the Champions League in 2006, which almost won them the trophy, before joining Portsmouth soon after.
Ashley Cole
It’s a controversial choice, but Ashley Cole is the best left-back Arsenal have had in the Premier League era.
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Many fans will yell Nigel Winterburn at the screen, but Cole is one of the greatest full-backs of his generation – supreme in defence and attack, with his wicked pace, ice-cool delivery and tenacious tackling helping him win more than 100 England caps.
Patrick Vieira
Captain fantastic, Patrick Vieira was the man who took the armband from Tony Adams and led the club to even more success.
The Frenchman could do everything. He was bigger and stronger than almost everyone else, pacey, powerful, scored plenty of goals and was a rock in front of the back four.
His rivalry with Manchester United skipper Roy Keane is legendary. He fought fire with fire, and often came out on top.
Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images
He spent nine years in England and departed for Juventus aged just 28. But with almost 300 appearances and seven major trophies to his name, he left a legend.
Cesc Fabregas
Another controversial choice, the boos can be heard across the capital every time Cesc Fabregas sets foot at the Emirates Stadium these days.
But the Spaniard is undoubtedly an Arsenal legend, even if his trophy cabinet is not quite as full as some others.
Fabregas burst through as a 16-year-old, and stayed in the team from there. His ability to ghost past opponents, thread a pass through the eye of a needle and score big goals in big games confirmed his legendary status long ago.
He left for boyhood club Barcelona in 2011 with the club’s blessing, but his return to these shores in the blue of Chelsea was not part of the deal – angering Arsenal fans.
Robert Pires
Pires personified Arsenal in the early 2000s: Stylish, skilful, scored plenty of goals, and a Frenchman.
Already a France international, Pires joined Arsenal in 2000 from Marseille. He lacked the outright pace most wingers now have, but his vision and ability on the ball more than made up for that.
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He also had an eye for the spectacular, which only endeared him to Arsenal fans (think of that lob against Aston Villa), while he also scored the winning goal in the 2003 FA Cup final.
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp was so good that even Tottenham fans might admit to secretly admiring him.
When the Dutchman was on the ball, time seemingly stood still. He did not have express pace or score 30 goals a season, but he had incredible vision and anticipation.
Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Bergkamp arrived in 1995 from Inter Milan and changed the way Arsenal played.
Eleven years, more than 300 appearances and 100 goals later he retired – but not before Arsenal celebrated him in style by dedicating their home game with West Brom to him.
Alexis Sanchez
The only member of the current squad to get in, Alexis Sanchez became an instant fan favourite when he arrived from Barcelona for £35m in 2014.
And since then, he has been comfortably their best player with his pace, trickery and weight of goals single-handedly winning games.
The notion of a lack of leadership is often chucked at Arsenal these days, but Sanchez is a vocal presence and is not afraid to say what he thinks. If he does depart, as expected, this summer then he will be almost impossible to replace.
Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry arrived in north London as a little-known French winger, but left as the club’s all-time top scorer.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Converted into a striker by Arsene Wenger, Henry led Arsenal to two Premier League titles – while at international level he also won a World Cup and European Championship crown.
Between 2002 and 2006, he did not fall below 30 goals a season – even hitting 39 in the 2003-04 unbeaten season, before leaving for Barcelona in 2007.
Honourable mentions: Jens Lehmann, Lauren, Steve Bould, Kolo Toure, Nigel Winterburn, Freddie Ljungberg, Gilberto Silva, Ian Wright, Emmanuel Petit, Robin van Persie, Marc Overmars, Martin Keown, Nicholas Anelka.
