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Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, Arsenal have been one of the best football clubs in England and Europe. First under George Graham and after his departure in 1996, under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger, they have enthralled neutrals and fans alike while producing some amazing football players. Here is Arsenal’s Greatest Team of the Premier League era Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely that of the author and do not reflect those of the site.
#1 Goalkeeper: David Seaman
The mustachioed Yorkshireman was always the first name on the squad list (literally) for Arsenal. With over 1000 appearances for the Gunners and wowing the crowds with his world class performances and long, crazy locks of hair, he left a very big mark on the club and is in the proper sense of the word, a legend.
With fantastic reach and even better reflexes, he was the Gunners' no.1 for 13 straight years. A remnant of the George Graham era, ‘Spunky’ as he was known won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one league Cup and one Cup Winners Cup with the Gunners as Arsenal won two doubles in 1998 and 2002.
As he declined with age, his form went down but he overcame these hurdles a final time by helping Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2003, making a magnificent save against Sheffield United in the semi-final before bowing out of the game. His importance to the Londoners is perhaps best seen in light of the fact that Arsenal have never really replaced him since, although Jens Lehmann came close.
#2 Right Back: Lee Dixon
Signed in 1988 from Stoke City by George Graham, he thrived in the Premier League era under both the tough defensively attuned Graham and the more technical Arsene Wenger, he remained an integral part of the squad through the 90's right upto his retirement in 2002. He was also a part of a very successful era for Arsenal, winning four league champion's medals, three FA Cupwinners medals and a UEFA Cup Winners Cupmedal.
His playing style was,to put it lightly, a bit rough. He was a hard and feisty tackler and never backed out ofchallenges. He was unspectacular but very reliable. He also had brilliant positional awareness. In spite of his reputation as a hard footballer, he was no mug on the ball, being famous for his overlapping runs and long passes.
What cements his name on this list though is his longevity. He was 25 when Arsenal won the title in 1988 and 34 at the time of Wenger's first success in 1998. That he played till 2002 is evidence of his fitness and his desire and love for the game.
#3 Centre Back: Sol Campbell
The only Arsenal player to score in a Champions League final, he was a rock in the Gunners’ defence after joining them in 2001 on a free transfer from arch rivals Tottenham. He was a tank of a player, fast and powerful. He also got better on the ball after joining Arsenal.
His will to win, and his despair in defeat is the reason he was chosen ahead of another club legends, Martin Keown. The fact that he was the club captain when he left Tottenham also wins him some brownie points. He was impregnable at times enthralling one and all with his fearsome frame and tremendous bludgeoning power.
His shining moment was probably being a part of the 'Invincibles' side of 2003/04, a side which conceded just 26 goals all season. His partnership with Tony Adams though short, was feared far and wide. He won two Premier League and three FA Cups in his time at Arsenal and was widely recognized as one of the world's best centre backs at the time. He also successfully replaced the departing Adams helping Arsenal during a transitional period.
#4 Centre Back: Tony Adams (Captain)
This was the easiest inclusion in this list. Tony Adams was ‘Mr. Arsenal'. He was a rock at the back, a leader all over the pitch but most importantly, a true and loyal servant of the club. He was also very vocal and unabashed in his love for Arsenal. He once said: “I will sign every contract Arsenal put in front of me without reading it.” What makes him the best Arsenal centre back of all time though is not his love for the club but his ability as a footballer.
Adams was quite simply, a complete defender. He had an excellent reading of the game and always timed his tackles to perfection. He was second to none in the air. He was also a leader on and off the pitch. He was also more than comfortable on the ball, starting attacks from the back and going forward when the opportunity beckoned.
He won 10 major trophies at the club over three decades – four league titles, three FA Cups, two Football League Cups and one UEFA Cup Winners Cup. This and the fact that he has a statue outside the Emirates cements his status as an Arsenal legend.
#5 Left Back: Ashley Cole
He is probably not the most popular with the Arsenal faithful, leaving the club in 2006 for Chelsea. But the fact is, in his time at Arsenal, he proved his worth as the best left back the club has ever had. In fact, the reason Arsenal fans hate 'Cashley Cole’ is that most of them know that had he stayed, he would surely have gone down as one of their best ever players.
In his six years at Arsenal, and specially in the ‘Invincibles‘ season, his partnership with Robert Pires on the left side was one of the hallmarks of Arsenal's play. He was in fact one of the earliest prototypes of the modern full back, at times resembling a winger. Cool and composed in defence and wily and direct on attack, his pace and willingness to compete set him apart.
His time at Arsenal was very fruitful for him, bagging him two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. His legacy at Arsenal may be tarnished forever, but his superlative play while he was at the club places him above Arsenal other stalwarts such as Nigel Winterburn on this list.
#6 Midfield: Cesc Fabregas
He was poached from Barcelona at the tender age of 16 in 2003, much to the chagrin of Barca fans. We would soon find out why. He was signed as a wonder kid and as one to watch out for in the future. But owing to an injury crisis in the Arsenal midfield, Arsene Wenger, in typical fashion, fast forwarded his progress and gave the youngster a chance in the Arsenal midfield. And the rest as they say, is history.
Fabregas consolidated his spot in the squad over the next season at the age of 17 and effectively replaced the great Patrick Vieira with great aplomb. With his silky moves and brilliant vision, he became a young star – the fulcrum around whom Wenger created his new post 'Invincibles' team. His excellent passing and intelligent movement led to him breaking records, becoming Arsenal's youngest ever player and goalscorer in the process.
He did not win much at Arsenal only winning one FA Cup but his skills and simple but genius play wowed hearts in and around the Emirates stadium, thus helping him beat some very tough competition in the form of Emmanuel Petit and Gilberto Silva to get a spot on this list.
#7 Midfield: Patrick Vieria (Vice Captain)
Vieira was quite easilythe easiest to pick after Adams. He had it all. Skill, speed and a will to win. This is best evidenced by his rivalry with Roy Keane, his opposite numberat rivals Manchester United. He was a titan at Arsenal, dominating one and all and loved by Arsenal fans till his departure in 2005.
Arsenal before Arsene Wengerwere not a team renowned for their playing style. Under George Graham, they were known more for their crunching tackles than their silken passing. Vieira changed that. He was very comfortable on the ball, be it dribbling or passing long or short. His partnership with French teammate Emmanuel Petit is a part of Arsenal folklore.He was also very good at getting crucial goals and a big match player.
He was also a leader, entrusted with the captaincy after Tony Adams retired. He was articulate, both in speech and on the pitch. He could also be a hothead as his record of 72 yellow cards and 8 red cards in just 279 games clearly show. He was won a lot of trophies at Arsenal, namely threePremier League titles and fourFA Cups and is a true Arsenal legend.
#8 Right Wing: Freddie Ljunberg
Arsenal fans simply loved this guy. With his trademark tendency to score on important occasions, he successfully wooed the Arsenal faithful. He got his chance at the expense of a teammate, Robert Pires when the French maestro got injured during the title run in during the 2001/02 season. He also scored on his debut against Manchester United, making him an instant star at Arsenal.
He was as good on the ball as any of his teammates but his skill for making intelligent and speedy runs on the wings were the real weapons of the Super Swede. With his effortless and never ending running ability, he provided stability on the wings to his already fantastic offensive output. He could tackle very effective and was tenacious when asked to help in defence.
He was also very versatile, able to play on either wing and as a second striker. His knack of scoring from the wings lessened the load on the strikers to deliver. All in all, he scored 72 goals in 328 matches and also won twoPremier League titles and threeFA Cups in his time at Arsenal.
#9 Left Wing: Robert Pires
Robert Pires beats the great Marc Overmars to the left winger's position. Signed from Olympique de Marseille, Pires took some time to adjust to the physical rigours of the English game. But once he got used to the PremierLeague, there was no stopping the Frenchman. His partnership with Thierry Henry was a revelation, scoring a combined 57 goals in the Invincibles season, stumping defenders wherever they went and enthralling their supporters.
He had all the offensive tools. His direct running, style, his class on the ball and his ability to score simply outrageous goals endeared him to all Arsenal fans. He was equally adept to play in all midfield positions. He was included in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, solidifying his position as one of the best players of the modern era.
He was also voted as the sixth best Arsenal player of all time by the teams fans.In addition to his individual honours, he also won twoPremier League titles and threeFA Cup titles while at Arsenal.
#10 Centre Forward: Dennis Bergkamp
The 'Non-Flying Dutchman', as he was affectionally nicknamed by fans due to his fear of flying was the fulcrum around which Arsene Wenger assembled Arsenal’s greatest ever team. He was so loved at Arsenal that he was spared the agony of travelling long distances for champions League matches.
He effectively played in the hole, receiving passes from midfield and launching precise pinpoint passes to runners, most famously Freddie Ljunberg and Robert Pires . He was also prolific scoring 120 goals in 423 matches. He had an uncanny understanding for the game and was famous for the degree of perfection his game had. Every touch was measured, precise and displayed his intelligence. Those passes and his ability to get absolutely brilliant goals was a hallmark of the Dutchman’s Arsenal career.
He is not lacking for individual honours either, getting named in the PFA team of the year and the PFA Players player Of The Year for the 1997/98 season. He also finished third in the voting for FIFA Player of the Year in 1993 and 1996. He won three League titles and four FA Cups during his time at the North London club.
#11 Striker: Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry was the man during his time at Arsenal. He scored goals for fun and collected Golden Boots like stamps. He was loved and revered at Arsenal, his transfer to Barcelona notwithstanding. Arsenal fans will simply never stop singing his name. He was always the first name on the team sheet and after joining from Juventus for £11 million in 1999, he became arguably the best striker of the Premier League era.
He was great at one-on-ones. He also had great pace which enabled him to run past defenders like they were practice cones. His experience of playing on the wings before joining Arsenal developed him into a complete footballer, a typical Arsenal player. He was also Arsene's ultimate success story, with Arsene converting him from a winger to a rampaging, top class forward.
The Frenchman scored 228 gols and had 92 assists in 369 matches winning the Golden Boot in 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06. Henry has also been named in the UEFA Team of the Year five times among countless other accolades.
