Arsenal
Ranking the Top 10 greatest Arsenal players of all time
Arsenal is one of the most successful clubs in England, and here we learn about the top 10 greatest Arsenal players of all time.
The history of Arsenal football club is full of glory and accolades. Some of the greatest Premier League players have featured for the Gunners in these years who changed the game’s dynamic entirely.
Arsenal have won the second-most top-flight matches in English football history and are the only club to make an unbeaten run in the Premier League. Apart from English accolades, the Gunners have also won one European Cup Winners’ Cup.
10. Alex James (1929–1937)
Even though Alex James mainly operated from the inside forward role, he was an assist machine for the team. His technical skills often lead to comparisons with Dennis Bergkamp. The Arsenal great was a part of the historic 1933 season where the Gunners scored 118 goals: a record at that time. Alex James is 10th in the list of the top 10 greatest Arsenal players of all time.
9. Cliff Bastin (1929–1947)
Cliff Bastin played in the winger role for Arsenal and achieved incredible success in front of the goal due to his shooting technique and superb skills. Bastin wrecked opponents’ defence during the 30s. Scoring 150 goals in 350 matches for the English team, he helped them secure 5 English Championships and 2 English FA Cups.
8. Charlie George (1968–1975)
Charlie George used to play in the forward and attacking midfielder role for Arsenal. Even though he didn’t secure a massive amount of goals, one of his crucial goals made his statue legendary in front of the Gunners. George scored a ravaging strike against Liverpool in the FA Cup final of 1971. At that time, the FA Cup had colossal popularity, and George’s contributions scratched a line in the hearts of Gunners supporters forever.
7. Ian Wright (1991–1998)
Considered one of the greatest strikers to ever play in the Premier League, Ian Wright had incredible stamina, shooting power and athleticism. His vast knowledge of the sport helped him make the best decisions in crucial situations. Wright scored 153 goals and gave 12 assists in 257 matches, which enabled him to secure the second highest top scorer spot in the history of the English club. The Englishman won 1 English Championship, 2 English FA Cups, 1 English League Cup and 1 Europapokal der Pokalsieger Sieger (European Titles).
6. Robert Pires (2000–2006)
Even though Pires ideally played on the left-wing, he made appearances in attacking midfield and as a supporting striker as well. Pires was technically supreme and physically strong as well, which helped him secure 85 goals and 60 assists in 284 matches. The French star immediately impacted the club and helped them win several accolades, including 2 English Championships, 3 English FA Cups, and 2 English Super Cups.
5. Patrick Vieira (1996–2005)
Patrick Vieira became the leader that the perfect Arsenal team required in the early 2000s. The French star was physically robust, intelligent and brave. Playing in the holding midfielder role, he used to break the opponent’s attacks. He wasn’t much of a goalscorer but still managed to secure 32 goals and assisted 44 times in 397 matches. Vieira lifted 3 English Championships, 4 English FA Cups and 3 English Super Cups.
4. Tony Adams (1983–2002)
Tony Adams was a one-club man who devoted his career to serving the Arsenal team. Playing from the centre-back role, Adams excelled due to having strong aerial prowess, tackling skills, physical strength and game awareness. Adams remains the second most apparent maker for the Gunners. His trophy cabinet isn’t bad either, as he has won 4 English Championships, 3 English FA Cups, 2 English League Cups, 2 English Super Cups and 1 Europapokal der Pokalsieger Sieger (European title).
3. Liam Brady (1973–1980)
Liam Brady was a left-footed attacking midfielder who had all the technical aspects of a great player, including sensational vision, passing, game reading and skills. He played seven years at the Arsenal team, making 235 appearances. He lifted 1 FA Cup during his spell at Arsenal.
2. Dennis Bergkamp
One of the most elegant players to ever set foot on the football pitch, Dennis Bergkamp, has left an untouchable legacy while at Arsenal. He excelled in the second striker role, having superior dribbling skills, quick decision-making ability, vision, accurate passing, and positional awareness.
His partnership with Thierry Henry became one of the most ruthless duos in English football. Scoring 113 goals and 94 assists, Bergkamp helped the team lift 3 English Championships, 4 English FA Cups and 3 English Super Cups.
1. Thierry Henry (1999–2007 & 2012)
This one shouldn’t surprise the English supporters who watched Arsenal’s performance in the early 2000s. Thierry Henry was so spectacular that defenders couldn’t even come close to him at the peak of his powers. Power, skills, physicality, game awareness, passing, ball controlling and breathtaking pace, Henry had it all.
The Frenchman used to go wide initially, which enabled him with several assisting options. He was an unselfish player who used to set up balls for his partner more often. But, due to having supreme shooting abilities, he also secured a lot of goals. Henry’s 228 goals in 376 matches across all competitions remains an unbroken record. He won 2 English Championships, 3 English FA Cups and 2 English Super Cups during his spell with Arsenal.
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Arsenal Women surrendered a commanding two-goal lead at the Allianz Arena, collapsing spectacularly after dominating the first half. The defeat represents an early blow to the holders’ Champions League defense and exposes fundamental weaknesses in Renee Slegers’ side.
Defensive High Line Proved Disastrous
Arsenal’s backline held an extremely high defensive position throughout, which Bayern ruthlessly exploited during their second-half comeback. Stephanie Catley and Lottie Wubben-Moy were caught flat-footed for Alara Sehitler’s 67th-minute goal, with Bayern breaking quickly while Arsenal pushed high up the pitch.
Sehitler found herself in acres of space to clip past Daphne van Domselaar, highlighting catastrophic positioning from Arsenal’s defenders. The same defensive naivety appeared for Pernille Harder’s equalizer, with both center-backs standing off and allowing the substitute uncontested shooting space on the box edge.
Read More: Experienced Vet Wins Arsenal Women’s October Player of the Month After Breaking Goal Drought
Second-Half Tactical Capitulation
Arsenal dominated the opening 45 minutes completely, making Bayern look ordinary through high pressing and controlled possession. But Slegers failed adjusting tactically after halftime, allowing Bayern to completely dominate proceedings and turn the match around.
The manager receives a damning 4/10 rating for her inability to respond as Bayern’s momentum grew. Her substitutions failed stemming the tide, with Chloe Kelly and Frida Maanum making minimal impact. Maanum particularly disappointed by squandering a glorious opportunity with 10 minutes remaining after excellent Alessia Russo work.
Pernille Harder Continues Arsenal Curse
Harder’s 80th-minute equalizer marked her seventh goal against Arsenal following her Chelsea career. The Danish striker’s unorthodox but brilliant looping shot over Van Domselaar demonstrated her instinctive finishing ability that has consistently punished the Gunners.
Arsenal’s inability to handle Harder’s movement and shooting prowess reflects deeper issues defending against intelligent forwards who exploit space between lines. Her goal sparked Bayern’s late surge, with Glodis Viggosdottir completing the turnaround four minutes later following another Klara Buhl assist.
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Women Player Ratings vs. Bayern Munich: Pernille Harder Haunts Gunners as Champions Squander Two-Goal Lead
Arsenal Women surrendered a commanding two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 at the Allianz Arena, suffering a devastating Champions League defeat that threatens their title defense. Emily Fox and Mariona Caldentey established control before Bayern’s second-half onslaught overturned the deficit.
The Standout Performers:
Mariona Caldentey – 7/10 Thrashed home Arsenal’s second goal after capitalizing on dreadful Bayern defending. Shifted the ball brilliantly before unleashing an unstoppable 20-yard drive into the roof of the net.
Provided creative spark throughout, constantly threatening with technical quality whenever receiving possession.
Alessia Russo – 7/10 Deserved more for her efforts after seeing plenty of possession in dangerous areas. Forced excellent save from Mala Grohs with long-distance strike and created wonderful opportunity for Frida Maanum late on. Her attacking intent couldn’t prevent the collapse.
Emily Fox – 7/10 Opened scoring by capitalizing on goalkeeper error, heading home from close range after Beth Mead’s powerful shot.
Faced significantly more defensive work after halftime as Bayern dominated proceedings.
The Solid Showings:
Beth Mead – 6/10 Credited with assist for opener after her fierce low shot was palmed down into Fox’s path. Involved in buildup for second goal and shrugged off heavy challenge in the 50th minute. Productive evening overall.
Stina Blackstenius – 6/10 Nearly scored spectacular goal when fierce strike crashed off crossbar. Constant threat before 60th-minute substitution but couldn’t add to Arsenal’s tally.
Caitlin Foord – 6/10 Productive display cut short after hour mark when replaced by Chloe Kelly.
Katie McCabe – 6/10 Relatively quiet evening before 75th-minute substitution.
Victoria Pelova – 6/10 Covered significant ground with tireless running before replacement by Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Daphne van Domselaar – 5/10 Virtual spectator during dominant first half. Exposed completely for Alara Sehitler’s 67th-minute goal and helpless preventing Pernille Harder’s brilliant looping equalizer or Glodis Viggosdottir’s winner.
Stephanie Catley – 5/10 Caught flat-footed holding high line for Bayern’s opener. Stood off Harder disastrously for equalizer.
Lottie Wubben-Moy – 5/10 Similar struggles to defensive partner Catley. Slow closing down Harder for leveller after being caught off-guard by Bayern’s quick break.
Chloe Kelly – 5/10 Struggled making impact after 60th-minute introduction with Arsenal pinned back.
Frida Maanum – 5/10 Squandered glorious chance after excellent Russo work with 10 minutes remaining.
Renee Slegers – 4/10 Shell-shocked after watching commanding position evaporate. Failed adjusting tactically after halftime as Bayern completely dominated.
Arsenal Dragon
Dramatic Turn of Events That Led to Arsenal’s Underrated 2013 Signing, and how Fans Reacted to it Back Then
One of Arsenal’s unsung heroes in the club’s rather silent years was Spanish full-back Nacho Monreal. Any given match, the former Malaga man would give it his all. A solid player, and an even nicer man off the field.
Nacho Monreal Recently Narrated that Hilarious Morning he Signed for Arsenal
Monreal joined the club in the winter transfer window of 2013. And more recently, he narrated how dramatically things went down before he reached London to sign for the club. He told Ladbrokes in an interview:
“I was in Malaga, playing for Malaga, and I remember, I woke up, I checked the phone and I had, two phone calls from Santi Cazorla. So I was a bit surprised…So, I arrived to the training ground and I called back, Santi, ‘Santi, what’s happening? Why are you calling me so early in the morning?’
“‘Nacho, Nacho, be quick, do you want to join for Arsenal?’
“I said, ‘What?’
“‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, the club, Arsene Wenger asked me if you want to join the club.’
“I was like, ‘What, really?’
“‘Yeah, yeah, Nacho. Yeah, it’s 100% serious.’
“And I said, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course I want to go.’“
Monreal went on to add that it all happened so quick that he hadn’t even told his wife that he had signed for Arsenal.
Arsenal Fans Back in 2013 Had No Clue Who Nacho Monreal was
A boatload of Arsenal fans back in January 2013 didn’t have any idea about Nacho Monreal. Although, the Spaniard had been a regular in La Liga for over half a decade by then, he wasn’t popular among the Gooners.
Here are some tweets from 2013 about Monreal’s signing:
Monreal, after over 6 solid years with the club, returned to Spain to play for Real Sociedad in 2019. After three seasons, until 2022, he was a pretty regular starter. Monreal hung up his boots the same year.
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