Arsenal’s academy has produced some fine players down the years, but who have been the greatest Arsenal youngsters to pull on the red and white?

Arsenal's Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 32, 2nd leg football match between Arsenal and Bate Borisov at the Emirates stadium in London on February 21, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP / Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 32, 2nd leg football match between Arsenal and Bate Borisov at the Emirates stadium in London on February 21, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP / Getty Images)

A homegrown player donning the red and white and leading the team success evokes no end of pride. Even after the player has left the club, there’s still some fondness attached to them, as if they still represent the club and everything it stands for.

Over the years, the Arsenal academy hasn’t been the most prolific talent factory around, but it has produced some exceptional footballers. Getting the list down to just five was a tough order, and a couple of choices may seem controversial.

Nonetheless, here are my five greatest Arsenal youngsters of all time.

3Liam Brady

Liam Brady
DUBLIN, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND – APRIL 8: Ireland assistant coach Liam Brady attends the Republic of Ireland football press conference at the FAI headquarters on April 8, 2008 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. (Photo by Patrick Bolger/Getty Images)

The Irishman was the club’s most exciting player throughout the 70s, and you can find clips of his remarkable curling shot against Tottenham in 1978 online today.

Brady’s time at the club wasn’t as trophy-laden as other legends, but he was the club’s player of the year on three occasions, and won the PFA Player of the Year award in 1979.

Brady went on to have more success in Italy.

To this day, he could make a reasonable claim of being Arsenal’s most famous and successful export.

He won two titles with Juventus in the early 80s, before going on to represent Sampdoria and Inter Milan.

All in all, he made 208 appearances during his time in Italy, before ending his career with West Ham.