10 greatest Arsenal players of all time

Arsenal are a special club.

Yes, of late, the Gunners have been the subject of much mirth for the rest of the Premier League, but at its heart, this is still a club that tries to do things the right way, the proper way, the 'Arsenal' way.

It only follows then, that the players that have turned out with the cannon on their shirts should be something special too. To whittle down the 847 players that have played for Arsenal in the club's 131 years to just 10 is no mean task.

Here are the 10 greatest players to have ever played for The Arsenal.

Honourable Mentions

Bob Wilson

The legendary keeper has been a part of Arsenal since 1963, and still continues to be a part of the furniture at the Emirates. With 308 appearances for the club, Wilson picked up 1 league title, and FA Cup and an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup by the end of his career. Arsenal were in safe hands when he was around.

Charlie George

The subject of perhaps the most iconic Arsenal photograph of all time, Charlie George lying prostate on the pitch, arms outstretched after having scored the winner in the 1971 FA Cup final will be firmly ensconsed in Gunners' hearts. He was the local boy come good, and will go down as one of the greatest ever to wear the cannon on his jersey.

David Rocastle

Rocky's name is still sung at the Emirates, and with good reason. The most skillful of the academy products that brought about Arsenal's success in the late 80s and the early 90s, Rocastle was the emblem of a side - tough as nails but with plenty of flair as well. He was a better person than most though, and sadly, the world lost him at the tender age of 33.

#10 Pat Rice

44 years.

Of the 68 years Pat Rice has spent on this planet, he's spent 70% of it in service of Arsenal - to have a list of the greatest Gunners without him would be downright blasphemous. Having joined Arsenal as an apprentice in 1964, Pat Rice came through the ranks at the club and went on to become one of the most influential figures in the club's history.

When he eventually called time on his role as assistant manager in 2012 due to health reasons, Pat Rice had played 528 games for the club, and won plenty of plaudits as one of the most dependable players to have put on the Gunner's jersey.

His crowning moment as a player came when he was a part of the historic double-winning side of 1970/71, while also lifting the FA Cup once more in 1979. Rice had a brief spell as caretaker manager of Arsenal, before assisting Arsene Wenger to the club's most successful period in its history.

#9 David Seaman

It takes a special player to keep Bob Wilson out of this list, but then again, David Seaman was no ordinary mortal. Who can ever forget his last-minute save against Sheffield United in the semifinal of the FA Cup at Old Trafford? If you did, remind yourself of this save that defied all logic:

The safest pair of hands to have ever been in the Arsenal goal, Seaman was not blessed naturally with the reflexes of the best goalkeepers - instead years of practice had produced a technical level so complete that Arsene Wenger described it as 'perfect'.

Seaman ended his career as the second most-capped English goalkeeper in the national team's history, but sadly, will be remembered for being lobbed by Ronaldinho in the World Cup by much of his nation. For Arsenal fans however, Seaman was the rock in goal, as he won three league championships (1991, 1998, 2002), four FA Cups (1993, 1998, 2002, 2003), the League Cup in 1993 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1994.

#8 Ian Wright

He was so good they had to sing his name thrice - 'Ian Wright Wright Wright' was bellowed by the North Bank of Highbury and before you knew it, Wrighty had already scored a hat-trick. The Englishman was a natural footballer, having come late to the professional game at the age of 22. He was 'uncoachable' according to George Graham, who realised that the best way to utilize the effervescent forward was to just let him be.

They let him be, and he responded by breaking Cliff Bastin's goal-scoring record for Arsenal - in just 7 seasons at the club. 185 goals in 288 appearances for Arsenal in the era when '1-0 to the Arsenal' rang true is frankly incredible.

A perfect microcosm of the player and the man that Ian Wright was came on the day he went past Cliff Bastin's record - he celebrated by taking off his shirt with the word's '179 - Just Done It' - the only problem that he'd only equalled Bastin's record at 178. No matter - 5 minutes later, and he tapped in goal #179.

By the time he left Arsenal, Wrighty had won a Premier League medal, 2 FA Cups, a League Cup, and the 1994 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Not bad for someone who had given up his dreams of playing football at an early age.

#7 Liam Brady

'Look at that... OOOH! LOOK AT THAT!!'

Liam Brady would have been much, much higher up this list had he stayed longer at the club. Sadly in an era when Serie A attracted the best players in the world, the Irishman departed for Juventus after having come through the ranks at Arsenal and spending 7 seasons with the club.

What seven seasons they were though - arguably the finest left foot to have ever caressed the ball for Arsenal - Brady possessed it all - the vision, the tenacity, the technique and the close-control. His eye for the final ball ensured Arsenal won the hectic 5-minute FA Cup final against Manchester United in 1979/80. It remained the only trophy Brady won with the club, as he announced his departure to Turin at the end of the season.

The abiding memory of Brady in an Arsenal shirt will always remain his goal against Tottenham, where he launched a curled effort into the top corner that only has to be seen to be believed:

Look at that, indeed.

#6 Robert Pires

Robert Pires was one of the greatest midfielders to have ever played the beautiful game. Sadly, it seems as though only Arsenal fans ever gave the Frenchman his due - to the unforgiving English public, he remained the 'foreigner' who dived to win a penalty against Portsmouth.

He didn't come with the best of reputations from Marseille - Arsene Wenger was told he'd have to loan the Frenchman back immediately, so short of confidence was the midfielder who was part of the 1998 and 2000 French national team setup. Pires struggled initially, but a goal against what would become his favourite foe, Tottenham, set his career back on track.

He took the Premier League by storm - he was an ungainly footballer when he ran without the ball, but when it came to his feet, he transformed into a ballet dancer, gracefully gliding past opponents on the left wing with almost 'Gallic' ease. The finger-wag became ever more present as he displayed his knack for scoring - although his lob over Peter Schmeichel will forever remain in Gunners' memory.

A true testament of a footballer is what your teammates think of you, and when Bobby hobbled in crutches to collect his first Premier League medal in 2001/02, the rest of the Arsenal side got on their knees and bowed down.

He ended his career with two Premier League medals and two FA Cups - and they said he'd be a flop. Sometimes, Arsene knows.

#5 Patrick Vieira

FA Cup Final - Arsenal v Manchester United

'They've never truly replaced Patrick Vieira!'

Well, Arsenal never replaced Patrick Vieira for a simple reason - he was irreplaceable. His final kick in an Arsenal shirt won them the 2004/05 FA Cup. The Gunners would not win a trophy for another 9 years after his departure to Juventus.

The Frenchman came to Arsenal even before Arsene Wenger had officially arrived, and destroyed the notion of a foreigner struggling to adapt in his first appearance - completely dominating the midfield as a gangly 20 year old. Highbury knew immediately they had a special player.

The sight of the tall midfielder sliding in to win the ball with a biting tackle, then holding off another player, before flicking it over his head to gallop up the pitch and begin an Arsenal attack was the norm at the turn of the Millenium. Other teams couldn't cope and naturally, preyed on Vieira's fiery temper in a bid to get him sent off.

Paddy calmed down after he took over from Tony Adams, and was the driving force as Arsenal began to conquer everyone - it's fair to say that without his leadership and his presence in the middle of the park, the Gunner's famed unbeaten run of 49 games would simply not have been possible. 9 trophies for the club in 9 years - Vieira was a winner, and for the spell he was at Arsenal, so were they.

Irreplaceable.

#4 Cliff Bastin

For 8 years with Arsenal, Cliff Bastin did not score a single goal. The reason? World War II. Had it not been for the outbreak of the war halting the football league, Bastin would surely have plundered 300 goals for Arsenal, a record Thierry Henry and Ian Wright would never have broken.

As it was, from 1929 to 1939, Cliff Bastin scored 178 goals for Arsenal. What makes it even more incredible was that Bastin was not a pure centre-forward. Operating on the 'inside left' of Herbert Chapman's famed W-M formation, Bastin was one of the first ever wingers in football to cut inside and shoot, as opposed to the norm of sending in a cross for the centre-forward.

Bastin had Alex James, the playmaker of Arsenal to thank for much of his goals, although he had to operate as a provider once Ted Drake arrived. He adapted without protest, and the goals continued, albeit at a lesser rate.

The Englishman signed for Arsenal as a 17-year-old, and by 19, already had won the League title, the FA Cup and was capped for England, the youngest player to have ever done so.

He ended his career with 5 league titles and 2 FA Cups, but instead will always be remembered for his goal-scoring feats.

#3 Tony Adams

Mr. Arsenal

Like the club, Tony Adams is a bit of a caricature in the present day, what with ignorant Real Madrid players on the bench making fun of the legend's 'eclectic' dressing sense.

Then again, 'Big Tone' has never been your picture-book footballer. The centre-back battled alcoholism for much of his career, winning titles while hungover, and even being jailed for a drunk-driving crash. He was labelled a 'donkey' for his clumsy defending in his early years, with no one even remotely believing he was capable of the heights he eventually reached.

Like the forwards he faced, Tony Adams battled them all, his inner demons, the jibes from the English press... and he won. You don't become the captain of Arsenal at the age of 21 without something special driving you.

He was there on 26th May 1989, when Arsenal defeated Liverpool 2-0 to win the title in the greatest ending to a season in English football.

He was there on 3rd May, 1998, having overcome his alcoholism to score the final goal as Arsene Wenger's revolution of Arsenal began, and Adams savoured his very first title celebration as a sober man.

He was there on 8th May, 2002 as Arsenal won the Double and underlined their superiority over Manchester United that year.

The only man to have ever captained a league-winning team in three decades. That is Tony Adams. That is Mr. Arsenal.

Isco, you're not fit to lace his boots.

#2 Thierry Henry

Arsenal v Leeds United - FA Cup Third Round

For all of his sheer brilliance during his peak years, most Gunners' fans will point at 34-year-old Theirry Henry's goal against Leeds as their favourite ever moment. The cool, suave, je ne sais quoi demeanour we witnessed his entire career was discarded, and we saw an unmasked Henry, who erupted in childlike joy, having scored his first ever goal as a fan.

Mind you, there were plenty of other moments to take your breath away:

The spin and lob on the edge of the box that left Fabian Barthez gasping in awe in the Manchester United goal.

The slaloming run and goal against Liverpool that left Jamie Carragher and Didi Hamann on their backsides as Henry ensured that Arsenal's unbeaten side remained, unbeaten.

The powerful run that left Real Madrid's Galacticos in their wake as an unfancied Arsenal defeated them 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In the list of the greatest players to have ever played the game, Thierry Henry may not always figure, but I will argue that he was the most beautiful player to watch in footballing history. The sight of Henry at full tilt was art, it wasn't just football. If you don't believe me, just watch:

Two league titles, three FA Cups, four Golden Boots, five Player of the Year awards and 228 goals, but there was and is only one, Thierry Henry.

#1 Dennis Bergkamp

For those in disagreement of my no.1 pick, here's a little tidbit for you:

One night last year some legends of Dutch football gathered for dinner in an Amsterdam house. Around midnight conversation turned to an old question: who was the best Dutch footballer ever? Dutchmen have been voted European Footballer of the Year seven times, more than any other nationality except Germans. Yet Jan Mulder, a great centre-forward turned writer, chose a player who had never even threatened to win the award nor, at the time, a Champions League: “Bergkamp.” He had the finest technique, said Mulder. Guus Hiddink, the great Dutch manager, nodded, and so the matter was settled.

Netherlands, the country of Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten et al bow before the sheer technical genius of Dennis Bergkamp. The Dutchman had no peer when it came to moments of taking your breath away, such as the did-he-mean-that turn and flick to bamboozle Nico Dabizas of Newcastle, the delicious chip to send Freddy Ljungberg through or his goal against Argentina that caused the most legendary piece of football commentary, ever.

Still. why was Dennis Bergkamp better than Thierry Henry?

There are those who will point at the fact that the Non-Flying Dutchman never left the club - he retired with his testimonial being the first ever game at the Emirates. Thierry Henry abandoned the club at a time when they were in the need of his experience - a bit harsh, but nonetheless true.

Simply however, the answer comes from Thierry Henry himself - a man who's played with the best of the best and rates the Dutchman as the finest teammate he's ever had. Without Dennis Bergkamp, the Thierry Henry we knew at Arsenal would not exist, but Bergkamp's magic shined bright, with or without Henry.

The best player to have ever played for Arsenal is Dennis Bergkamp, and each of his 120 goals for the club are worth a watch.

Edited by Sunaadh Sagar