ARSENAL SHIRT NUMBER 8

Dani Ceballos admits Real Madrid wanted to keep him LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Dani Ceballos after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on September 19, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Will Oliver - Pool/Getty Images)

38

players have worn the
number 8 shirt at Arsenal.

Can you name them all?

Martin Odegaard will become the 39th player to wear the number 8 shirt for Arsenal after his permanent signing from Real Madrid was announced.

martin odegaard
Martin Odegaard.

Dani Ceballos wore the number eight shirt again for his second season on loan with Arsenal but who else has worn it?

Hector Bellerin and Dani Ceballos (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Hector Bellerin and Dani Ceballos (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Dani Ceballos was the 37th and, technically, the 38th player to wear the Arsenal #8 (Alan Smith also wore it twice).

No fewer than 24 Arsenal players have worn the number 8 shirt for a season or less, while Paul Davis held the shirt the longest, wearing it for 12 years.

We all know that Aaron Ramsey vacated the number 8 shirt last summer but who had it before and how big are the shoes Ceballos has to fill?

Some are huge. Some are clearly of the clown variety…

Dani Ceballos (19/20)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal and Dani Ceballos of Arsenal speak during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 12, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Tim Goode/Pool via Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Goode/Pool via Getty Images)

The Dani Ceballos who wore Arsenal’s number 8 shirt last season was not the same player buy the end of the campaign as he had been for the majority of it. Injuries played their role in his less-than-overwhelming campaign but the biggest blame must surely lie at the feet of Unai Emery. Under Arteta he was much improved and will hope to pick up where he left off at the club just a few weeks ago after being confirmed as an Arsenal player for another season.

Aaron Ramsey (16/17 – 18/19)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal and S.S.C. Napoli at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 11: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal and S.S.C. Napoli at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta (11/12 – 15/16)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Captain Mikel Arteta of Arsenal lifts the trophy after their 1-0 win in the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 02: Captain Mikel Arteta of Arsenal lifts the trophy after their 1-0 win in the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Samir Nasri (08/09 – 10/11)

Arsenal's French player Samir Nasri (L) is congratulated by Coach Arsene Wenger (R) after he scored the second goal against Manchester United during the Premiership match at The Emirates Stadium in London on November 8, 2008. Nasri scored both Arsenal goals to win the game 2-1. (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s French player Samir Nasri (L) is congratulated by Coach Arsene Wenger (R) after he scored the second goal against Manchester United during the Premiership match at The Emirates Stadium in London on November 8, 2008. Nasri scored both Arsenal goals to win the game 2-1. (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Lassana Diarra (07/08)

lassana diara
MIDDLESBROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 09: Lussana Diarra of Arsenal goes around Fabio Rochemback of Middlesbrough during the Barclays Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Arsenal at the Riverside Stadium on December 9, 2007 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Freddie Ljungberg (98/99 – 06/07)

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - MARCH 29: Freddie Ljungberg, Manager of Arsenal gives Jordi Osei-Tutu of Arsenal instructions during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Meadow Park on March 29, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – MARCH 29: Freddie Ljungberg, Manager of Arsenal gives Jordi Osei-Tutu of Arsenal instructions during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Meadow Park on March 29, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)

Ian Wright (91/92 – 97/98)

Ian Wright of Arsenal football club takes off his shirt and celebrates with team mate Lee Dixon after breaking Cliff Bastin's Arsenal goalscoring record of 178 goals with a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers on13 September 1997 at the Arsenal Stadium, Highbury Stadium, London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images).
Ian Wright of Arsenal football club takes off his shirt and celebrates with team mate Lee Dixon after breaking Cliff Bastin’s Arsenal goalscoring record of 178 goals with a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers on13 September 1997 at the Arsenal Stadium, Highbury Stadium, London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images).

Paul Davis (82/83 – 93/94)

Undated: Paul Davis of Arsenal shields the ball from Alvin Martin of West Ham United during a match at Highbury Stadium in London. Arsenal won the match 1-0. Credit: Dan Smith/Allsport
Undated: Paul Davis of Arsenal shields the ball from Alvin Martin of West Ham United during a match at Highbury Stadium in London. Arsenal won the match 1-0. Credit: Dan Smith/Allsport

Steve Morrow (93/94)

JUL 1994: A PORTRAIT OF STEVE MORROW OF ARSENAL TAKEN AT THE ARSENAL PHOTOCALL AT HIGHBURY. (Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT)
JUL 1994: A PORTRAIT OF STEVE MORROW OF ARSENAL TAKEN AT THE ARSENAL PHOTOCALL AT HIGHBURY. (Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT)

Ray Parlour (92/93)

Ray Parlour Infographic
Ray Parlour Infographic

Alan Smith (91/92 – 92/93)

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 26: Arsenal goalscorer Alan Smith celebrates in the dressing room with the League Division One trophy after Arsenal had beaten Liverpool 2-0 in the final game of the season to pip Liverpool to the title, at Anfield on May 26, 1989 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 26: Arsenal goalscorer Alan Smith celebrates in the dressing room with the League Division One trophy after Arsenal had beaten Liverpool 2-0 in the final game of the season to pip Liverpool to the title, at Anfield on May 26, 1989 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)

Kevin Campbell (91/92)

1993: Portrait of Kevin Campbell of Arsenal during a photocall at the Highbury Stadium in London. \ Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport
1993: Portrait of Kevin Campbell of Arsenal during a photocall at the Highbury Stadium in London. \ Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Alan Smith (91/92)

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 26: Arsenal players from left Kevin Richardson, Steve Bould, Paul Merson and Alan Smith celebrate in the dressing room with the League Division One trophy after Arsenal had beaten Liverpool 2-0 in the final game of the season to pip Liverpool to the title, at Anfield on May 26, 1989 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 26: Arsenal players from left Kevin Richardson, Steve Bould, Paul Merson and Alan Smith celebrate in the dressing room with the League Division One trophy after Arsenal had beaten Liverpool 2-0 in the final game of the season to pip Liverpool to the title, at Anfield on May 26, 1989 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)

Anders Limpar (91/92)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 15: Arsenal wing Anders Limpar holds off the challenge of Jeremy Goss during a FA Premier League match between Arsenal and Norwich City at Higbury on August 15, 1992 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Radford/Allsport/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – AUGUST 15: Arsenal wing Anders Limpar holds off the challenge of Jeremy Goss during a FA Premier League match between Arsenal and Norwich City at Higbury on August 15, 1992 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Radford/Allsport/Getty Images)

David Rocastle (91/92)

michael thomas david rocastle
Michael Thomas and David Rocastle

Perry Groves (91/92)

Perry Groves
Perry Groves

David Hillier (91/92)

David Hillier of Arsenal in action during a match at Highbury in London. (Ben Radford/Allsport)
David Hillier of Arsenal in action during a match at Highbury in London. (Ben Radford/Allsport)

Michael Thomas (90/91)

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 26: Arsenal goalscorer Michael Thomas celebrates in the dressing room with the Championship trophy lid after his goal sealed a 2-0 victory over rivals Liverpool to win the 1988/89 Football League title at Anfield on May 26, 1989 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 26: Arsenal goalscorer Michael Thomas celebrates in the dressing room with the Championship trophy lid after his goal sealed a 2-0 victory over rivals Liverpool to win the 1988/89 Football League title at Anfield on May 26, 1989 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)

Kevin Richardson (87/88 – 89/90)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 12: Kevin Richardson of Aston Villa in action watched by Ian Sellley (l) Alan Smith (2nd r) and Dalian Atkinson (r) during a Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Highbury on April 12, 1993 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 12: Kevin Richardson of Aston Villa in action watched by Ian Sellley (l) Alan Smith (2nd r) and Dalian Atkinson (r) during a Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Highbury on April 12, 1993 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Getty Images)

Gus Caesar (86/87)

gus caeser
Gus Caesar

Ian Allinson (85/86)

1 Apr 1986: Ian Allinson of Arsenal in action during the Canon League Division One match against Everton played at Highbury in London, England. Everton won the match 1-0. Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport
1 Apr 1986: Ian Allinson of Arsenal in action during the Canon League Division One match against Everton played at Highbury in London, England. Everton won the match 1-0. Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Graham Rix (84/85)

BRIGHTON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 30: Arsenal player Kevin Richardson (l) celebrates the winning goal with Graham Rix (c) and David O' Leary during an FA Cup 4th Round match against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground on January 30, 1988 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 30: Arsenal player Kevin Richardson (l) celebrates the winning goal with Graham Rix (c) and David O’ Leary during an FA Cup 4th Round match against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground on January 30, 1988 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)

Steve Williams (84/85)

steve williams
Steve Williams

Charlie Nicholas (83/84)

Jul 1983: Tony Woodcock (left) and Charlie Nicholas of Arsenal sit on a bench at Highbury in London. Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport
Jul 1983: Tony Woodcock (left) and Charlie Nicholas of Arsenal sit on a bench at Highbury in London. Credit: Adrian Murrell/Allsport

Brian Talbot (83/84)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 12: Arsenal player Liam Brady (l) wearing a Manchester United shirt leads the celebrations after their 3-2 victory in the 1979 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 12, 1979 with back row, left to right David Price, Pat Jennings, Willie Young, Alan Sunderland and David O' Leary and front row Pat Rice and Sammy Nelson with cup and Brian Talbot (standing) (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 12: Arsenal player Liam Brady (l) wearing a Manchester United shirt leads the celebrations after their 3-2 victory in the 1979 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 12, 1979 with back row, left to right David Price, Pat Jennings, Willie Young, Alan Sunderland and David O’ Leary and front row Pat Rice and Sammy Nelson with cup and Brian Talbot (standing) (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)

Alan Sunderland (77/78 – 82/83)

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - MAY 14: Arsenal manager Terry Neill (c) and coach Don Howe (l) talk with the players including John Hollins (l) and Alan Sunderland (2nd right) before extra time during the 1980 European Cup Winners Cup Final against Valencia at the Heysel Stadium on May 14, 1980 in Brussels, Belguim, Valencia won the match on penalties (Photo by Duncan raban/Allsport/Getty Images)
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – MAY 14: Arsenal manager Terry Neill (c) and coach Don Howe (l) talk with the players including John Hollins (l) and Alan Sunderland (2nd right) before extra time during the 1980 European Cup Winners Cup Final against Valencia at the Heysel Stadium on May 14, 1980 in Brussels, Belguim, Valencia won the match on penalties (Photo by Duncan raban/Allsport/Getty Images)

Brian McDermott (80/81)

Photo taken on May 1, 1981 in London shows Brazilian football player Pelé (C) posing at Highbury stadium with the Arsenal players (from L to R) Brian Talbot, Brian McDermott, John Devine, Graham Rix, Kenny Sansom, David O'Leary and Paul Davis. / AFP PHOTO / -
Photo taken on May 1, 1981 in London shows Brazilian football player Pelé (C) posing at Highbury stadium with the Arsenal players (from L to R) Brian Talbot, Brian McDermott, John Devine, Graham Rix, Kenny Sansom, David O’Leary and Paul Davis. / AFP PHOTO / –

Paul Vaessen (78/79 – 80/81)

Paul Vaessen
Paul Vassen

George Armstrong (76/77)

circa 1970: George Armstrong (1944 - 2000) in action for Arsenal Football Club (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)
circa 1970: George Armstrong (1944 – 2000) in action for Arsenal Football Club (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

Alan Hudson (76/77)

1970: Alan Hudson of Arsenal about to pass the ball in a league match. Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport
1970: Alan Hudson of Arsenal about to pass the ball in a league match. Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Alan Ball (72/73 – 74/75)

England footballer Alan Ball Jr. (1945 - 2007, right) with Arsenal manager Bertie Mee (1918 - 2001) after signing with Arsenal F.C. for a British cash record fee, UK, 22nd December 1971. (Photo by Les Lee/Daily Express/Getty Images)
England footballer Alan Ball Jr. (1945 – 2007, right) with Arsenal manager Bertie Mee (1918 – 2001) after signing with Arsenal F.C. for a British cash record fee, UK, 22nd December 1971. (Photo by Les Lee/Daily Express/Getty Images)

Liam Brady (74/75)

Oct 1979: Liam Brady of Arsenal in action during a Football League Division One match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Grounds in Wolverhampton, England. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport
Oct 1979: Liam Brady of Arsenal in action during a Football League Division One match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Grounds in Wolverhampton, England. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Eddie Kelly (71/72)

circa 1970: Arsenal footballer Eddie Kelly in action during a training session. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)
circa 1970: Arsenal footballer Eddie Kelly in action during a training session. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

George Graham (70/71)

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 26: Arsenal manager George Graham celebrates on the pitch after Arsenal had beaten Liverpool 2-0 to win the First Division Championship at Anfield on May 26, 1989 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 26: Arsenal manager George Graham celebrates on the pitch after Arsenal had beaten Liverpool 2-0 to win the First Division Championship at Anfield on May 26, 1989 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)

George Eastham (63/64 – 65/66)

George Eastham of Arsenal FC poses for a portrait on 1st December 1960 at the Arsenal Stadium in Highbury, London, Great Britain. (Photo by Don Morley/Getty Images)
George Eastham of Arsenal FC poses for a portrait on 1st December 1960 at the Arsenal Stadium in Highbury, London, Great Britain. (Photo by Don Morley/Getty Images)

Jon Sammels (64/65 – 65/66)

English footballer Jon Sammels of Arsenal pictured prior to playing for the England national under-18 football team in the final of the 1963 UEFA European Under-18 Championship match at White City Stadium in London on 23rd April 1963. England would go on to beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in the final to win the championship. (Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English footballer Jon Sammels of Arsenal pictured prior to playing for the England national under-18 football team in the final of the 1963 UEFA European Under-18 Championship match at White City Stadium in London on 23rd April 1963. England would go on to beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in the final to win the championship. (Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

David Court (64/65)

English soccer team Arsenal FC, group photo, UK, 8th August 1968; they are Jon Sammels, Peter Storey, George Armstrong, Ian Ure, Jim Furnell, David Court, John Radford, Terry Neill, Peter Simpson, Bob McNab, Bobby Gould, Bob Wilson, David Jenkins, George Graham, Pat Rice, Bertie Mee, Frank McLintock. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English soccer team Arsenal FC, group photo, UK, 8th August 1968; they are Jon Sammels, Peter Storey, George Armstrong, Ian Ure, Jim Furnell, David Court, John Radford, Terry Neill, Peter Simpson, Bob McNab, Bobby Gould, Bob Wilson, David Jenkins, George Graham, Pat Rice, Bertie Mee, Frank McLintock. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

John Radford (64/65)

Arsenal inside right John Radford leaps over Leicester City goalkeeper Gordon Banks during a first division match at Highbury, London, 23rd January 1965. (Photo by Ted West/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Arsenal inside right John Radford leaps over Leicester City goalkeeper Gordon Banks during a first division match at Highbury, London, 23rd January 1965. (Photo by Ted West/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)