Arsenal legends
Every now and then, the world of football experiences the emergence of a new sensation that captivates millions of fans all over the world. These are the players for whom we fall in love with the beautiful game of football time and again. These are Arsenal legends.
Arsenal are one of the most popular football clubs in the world with a tradition and history few others can match.
Over the years, the club has been the breeding ground of many cult heroes and legends of the game. The names of these legends have been etched forever in the minds of the Gooners, even after they left the game.
David Seaman
The greatest goalkeeper ever in Arsenal’s long history, David Seaman was considered to be one of the best shot-stoppers of his era. He was with Arsenal for a stretch of 13 long years from 1990 to 2003 and won three league championships and four FA Cups. With a penchant for coming up with incredible saves, he established a reputation as a specialist penalty saver. Operating behind the back four comprising of Winterburn, Keown, Adams, and Dixon, Seaman was truly the rock of Arsenal. After his retirement in 2003, the club is yet to find his replacement even after so many years.
Thierry Henry
This talismanic striker needs no introduction whatsoever. In his eight years with the club, he scored 226 goals in 370 games and achieved almost every honor a football player aspires to. Football lovers around the world still remember his superb skill and blistering pace with which he used to split open opposition defences. This Frenchman is still remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of Arsenal.
Dennis Bergkamp
This Dutchman stunned the world with his astounding finishing ability and amazing technical skill. Operating as the second striker, he scored some of the most stunning goals ever in world football in the late 90s and early 2000s. His chemistry with Thierry Henry was nothing less than telepathic, bringing so much success to the club during Arsene Wenger’s first half of reign at Arsenal.
Tony Adams
This one-club man-made over 500 appearances for Arsenal spanning over a period of 19 long years. Popularly known amongst fans as Mr. Arsenal, Adams is still considered to be one of the greatest leaders to have played the game of football. In the history of English football, he is the only captain to lead his team to titles in three different decades.
Patrick Vieira
A born leader, this French maestro played a pivotal role in taking Arsenal to new heights under the coaching of Arsene Wenger. Vieira’s combination of technique, strength, size, and tenacity made him a huge favorite amongst the fans. The 2005 FA Cup trophy was the highest point of the midfield linchpin’s long association with Arsenal.
Paul Merson
A product of Arsenal’s youth academy, Paul Merson made his first appearance for Arsenal in 1986. His blend of creativity, energy, and graft was the perfect fit for coach George Graham’s vision. Always a crowd favorite, Paul was a part of Arsenal’s two league titles in 1989 and 1991, the Cup Winners cup in 1994, and Cup double in 1993. In spite of his personal issues and battle with substances in 1995, Paul Merson returned to the green meadow and made over 100 more appearances for Arsenal.
Ian Wright
This prolific striker had a natural flair for goal-scoring and could score from everywhere. George Graham signed him in 1991 as a promising 22 years old goal poacher. In the early days of his career, he had some addiction issues.
According to i49, Wight was a recreational cannabis user from the age of 17. However, his love for football helped him overcome all these problems. After scoring against Leicester City on his Arsenal debut, Wright never looked back. He played 279 matches for Arsenal and scored 185 goals, a record that was intact for over half a decade.