5 players who have scored the most goals against Arsenal

Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in England and Europe. One of only four teams to have won at least three Premier League titles, the Gunners have been a dominant force for large swathes of the last two decades.

Mikel Arteta's men are without European football this season for the first time in more than two decades. However, they are on course to return to continental competition next season, despite having a largely youthful squad.

Considering the club's history and pedigree, many world-class players have played for the Gunners over the years. However, Arsenal have never been known for having the stingiest of defences. That explains why many opposition players, especially goalscorers, have had consistent success against them.

On that note, here's a look at the five most prolific goalscorers across competitions against the Gunners.

Note: All stats are as per transfermarkt unless specified otherwise.

#5 Harry Kane - 11 goals

Harry Kane is one of the most prolific active goalscorers in the English top flight at the moment. With 171 goals for Tottenham Hotspur, he is on course to break Sergio Aguero (184)'s record for most Premier League goals for a single club.

The 28-year-old striker has scored nearly 250 goals for Tottenham. Eleven of those strikes (in 16 games across competitions) have come against their north London rivals Arsenal. Interestingly, Spurs have lost only one of their ten games when Kane has scored against the Gunners.

The striker drew a blank in Spurs' 3-1 defeat to the Gunners in the Premier League this season.

#4 Sergio Aguero - 11 goals

Sergio Aguero scored a lot of goals against the Gunners.

Sergio Aguero is one of the most lethal goalscorers to have graced the game in the last two decades.

The recently retired Manchester City legend scored 260 goals for the five-time Premier League winners. That includes 11 strikes against the Gunners in three different competitions.

One of Aguero's record 12 Premier League hat-tricks came against Arsenal in 2018-19 season.

After joining Barcelona last summer, the Copa America 2021 winner was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, forcing him to retire from the game.

Note: Mark Hughes, Teddy Sheringham and Jamie Vardy have also scored 11 times against the Gunners.

#3 Didier Drogba - 13 goals

Didier Drogba loved playing against the Gunners.

Didier Drogba is one of the most prolific goalscorers against Arsenal. The Chelsea legend scored 13 times in 15 games against them across four different competitions. Incredibly, the Blues lost only one of those games, winning ten.

Most of Drogba's strikes (8) against the Gunners came in the Premier League. The former Cote d'Ivoire international has netted five braces against them in three different competitions. Three of them came in the Premier League.

The four-time Premier League winner's 13 goals against the Gunners is the most he has netted against a single opponent. The 43-year-old former centre-forward scored 11 times against Liverpool.

#2 Robbie Fowler - 14 goals

Robbie Fowler (right) scored a lot of goals against the Gunners.

Robbie Fowler was a prolific goalscorer during his playing days. The 43-year-old centre-forward scored nearly 250 goals in club football with eight different clubs. Most of those strikes (183) came with Premier League giants Liverpool.

Fowler netted 14 times against Arsenal in 23 games across competitions. All but two of those strikes came while he played for the Reds. He scored two Premier League hat-tricks against the Gunners - one in 1994-95 and the other the next season.

The former England international netted once apiece against Arsenal when playing for Leeds United and Manchester City.

#1 Wayne Rooney - 15 goals

Wayne Rooney loved playing against the Gunners.

Wayne Rooney is one of the greatest goalscorers in Premier League history; he is one of only two players to score over 200 goals in the competition. The 36-year-old opened his account in the English top flight with a wonder strike from distance against Arsenal.

In a Premier League game in 2002, the then 16-year-old unleashed a venomous strike from distance to breach the Arsenal rearguard. Everton eventually won the game 2-1 to snap the Gunners' 30-game unbeaten streak.

One of Rooney's seven Premier League hat-tricks came against the Gunners. Overall, the Manchester United legend netted 15 times against Arsenal in 35 games across three different competitions. All but two of those strikes came for United.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Aditya Singh