Continuing with our Best  XI series, Its Arsenal’s all time legends who will be on the highlight today. Arsenal are one of the most successful clubs in London and a club with rich tradition for producing academy players. Arsenal have produced so many greats in the past and it was a tough choice to leave out some of the notable names.

Have a look at the best defenders that have played for the Gunners:

 

Goal Keeper : David Seaman

Joining Arsenal from local rivals Queen Park Rangers, David Seaman made 405 appearances for the Gunners in a span of 13 years(1990-2003). Seaman was more than a goal keeper for Arsenal, he was a center figure in the clubs most successful days in the modern era, helping Arsenal to win 3 Premier League, 4 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and 3 Community Shield titles.

Notable Miss Outs :  Bob Wilson and Pat Jennings

 

Left Back : Nigel Winterburn

Arsenal are always known to have a good left backs and Nigel Winterburn is arguably the best of the lot. Many may argue that Ashley Cole deserves a place but the way he left the club to play for London rivals Chelsea made him lose the place. Winterburn was excellent in his times during the the late 1980’s and all through 90’s as he terrorized the left flank through his amazing overlapping runs. The defender made a total of  584 appearances , scoring 12 times for the Gunners. Winterburn was part of  the double winning team in 1993 as Arsenal lifted the FA and the league cup. He also won the League Championship thrice (’89, ’91, ’98), added another FA Cup in 98 and a European Cup Winners’ Cup in 94.

Notable Miss Outs : Ashley Cole, Frank McLintock

Center Back : Tony Adams

When your name is Mr. Arsenal and you have a statue outside the ground, then its weird to miss out on the club’s all time best XI . Tony Adams was not only the best defender but one of the best ever captain that have played for the Gunners. Tony Adams is the proof for loyalty as he is correctly named as Mr. Arsenal, the player started and ended his career with Arsenal in a span of more than 2 decades (1980- 2002).

Adams led Arsenal for 14 years and lifted the winners medal for 13 times including four league titles, three FA Cup, two League Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and three Charity Shield titles. Adams was also included in the PFA team of the year three times. Arsenal showed their respect to the player by placing a statue of Adams outside Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium in celebration of the club’s 125th anniversary on 9 December 2011.

Notable Miss Outs : Sol Campbell , Pat Rice.

 

Center Back : David O’Leary

The Six trophies David O’Leary won with Arsenal, does not get him into the list. Its because of his great work rate and the passion he showed as a player in the 20 years he played for Arsenal. David O’Leary joined Arsenal as a promising youngster in 1973 and soon established himself in the first team and it was because of him Arsenal were able to compete in the league without falling in to the second tier English football.

His honors as an Arsenal player include two League Championships (’89, ’91), two FA Cups (’79, ’93) and two League Cups (’87, ’93).

Notable Miss Outs : Steve Bould

Right Back : Lee Dixon

Dixon was a defender who had dept touches with both his feet and a ball control as good as a forward. Joining from Stoke City in 1988, Dixon made his debut against   Luton Town in February 1988 and played six times in total before the season ended. A right back who can cross the ball muck like a winger, Dixon made that position his own for over a decade. His trophies with Arsenal include Four League Championships (’89,’91, ’98, ’02), three FA Cups (’93, ’98, ’02) and a European Cup Winners’ Cup (’94).

Dixon and Winterburn made the full back positions their own for over a decade or so, while captain Tony Adams and the long-serving David O’Leary operated in the middle. This was arguably one of the best defensive line-up for Arsenal.

Notable Miss Outs : Lauren

Our Final back line – 

                                                                            David Seaman

Lee Dixon – Tony Adams – David O’Leary – Nigel Winterburn

 

The best Midfielders will be coming up soon.

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