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Arsenal are one of the most successful clubs in English football. The Gunners have won 13 league titles and a record 14 FA Cups in their illustrious history. The north London club enjoyed their greatest period of success under French manager Arsene Wenger between 1996 and 2018.
'Le Professeur', as Wenger was fondly referred to as, had a penchant for scouting and developing young talent. He once famously said:
"Arsenal do not sign big names; we sign big players."
Over the course of his career in North London, Wenger signed and developed Arsenal greats such as Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny. All these players proved to be immense for the club. Henry is Arsenal's all-time top scorer with 228 goals.
However, not all of Arsenal's players always got the plaudits they deserved. Some largely went under the radar, as they came from smaller clubs or were not extroverts.
On that note, here's a look at five of Arsenal's greatest players from the Premier League era who were underrated and underappreciated.
#5 Tomas Rosicky
Tomas Rosicky was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1980. He came through the youth ranks at Sparta Prague, and made his senior debut for the team in 1998. The Czech later represented Borussia Dortmund, before enjoying the most prominent spell of his career at Arsenal (2006-16).
Rosicky was a technical genius. He had great ball control; his vision was remarkable, and the former Czech international could glide past defenders, thanks to his agility and pace.
The former Arsenal man was nicknamed 'Little Mozart' during his time in Germany, due to his playmaking abilities. In 2014, he combined with his teammates to score a sensational goal against Sunderland in the Premier League.
You can watch that goal here:
Rosicky played 513 club games in his career, scoring 65 goals and assisting 82. He made 105 appearances for the Czech Republic, scoring 23 goals, putting him third in their all-time appearances list and fourth in their all-time scorers' list.
He won one Bundesliga title with Dortmund and two FA Cups with Arsenal, among other honours. Rosicky retired in 2017 following a year at Sparta Prague - the club where it all began for Little Mozart.
#4 Nacho Monreal
Ignacio 'Nacho' Monreal was born in Pamplona, Spain, in 1986. He came through the ranks at his local club, and made his professional debut for Osasuna in 2005. He has since represented Malaga and Arsenal, and now plays for Real Sociedad.
Monreal often played as a left-back for Arsenal, and was strong in the tackle, calm in possession, and had great tactical and positional awareness. During the latter days of Arsene Wenger's tenure at the club, the Frenchman used Monreal on the left side of a back three.
Many fans will recall the substitution board going up for Monreal to be subbed on as soon as it was the 70th minute, and Arsenal were leading the game. Monreal was a mainstay in the team during Wenger's tenure, making 251 appearances for the Gunners. He won three FA Cups with Arsenal.
The Spaniard made it a habit to score clutch goals in the competition for Arsenal, scoring against both Manchester clubs in different FA Cup-winning runs.
Monreal also made 22 appearances for Spain, scoring one goal. He currently plays for Real Sociedad, having moved from Arsenal in 2019.
#3 Jose Antonio Reyes
Former Arsenal player, the late Jose Antonio Reyes, was born in Utrera, Spain, in 1983. He came through the ranks at Sevilla, and made his senior debut for them in 1999. Reyes mainly played as a winger or wide forward, and represented several clubs. Among the notable ones were Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and SL Benfica.
Reyes played a total of 643 club games in his career, scoring 96 goals and assisting 120. He was pacey and strong, and could use his body to protect the ball well in tight spaces in wide areas. He could also finish reasonably well with both foot, and had a good leap to rise for headers. Reyes was masterful in turning defenders while making incisive runs into the penalty area.
He won a lot of silverware in his career. He was part of Arsenal's 'Invincibles' who won the 2003-04 Premier League title undefeated. Reyes also did especially well in the UEFA Europa League. The former Arsenal man won five Europa League titles in his career - two with Atletico Madrid and three in a row with Sevilla between 2013 snd 2016 as club captain.
Jose Antonio Reyes tragically lost his life in a car crash in 2019 while travelling between Utrera and Seville in Spain. He will forever be remembered as a classy player and human being.
#2 Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud was born in Chambery, France, in 1986. He came through the ranks at Grenoble, and made his senior debut for them in 2005. Giroud has had a career that has blossomed later than most, and he is still getting better with time. He has represented Arsenal and Chelsea in recent times, and is now at AC Milan.
Giroud made a total of 257 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 105 goals and providing 42 assists. The Frenchman has an incredible ability to hold up play, and bring his teammates into the game.
The striker is also strong aerially, and wins most of his duels. Giroud is exceptional with flicks and passes with the outside of his boot. He combined with Jack Wilshere to set up arguably Arsenal's best goal of the 21st century against Norwich City.
You can watch that strike here:
In 2018, in a game against Crystal Palace, the striker produced an insane 'scorpion kick' to score past Wayne Hennessey. The goal won him the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.
You can watch that goal here:
Giroud won three FA Cups with Arsenal, and played a key part in all three title triumphs. Later in his career, after leaving the Gunners, he won another FA Cup, one Europa League title and one UEFA Champions League title - all with Chelsea.
The former Arsenal man is currently playing for AC Milan. He will hope to combine with strike partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic to help the club mount a title challenge.
#1 Gilberto Silva
Gilberto Silva was born in Minas Gerias, Brazil, in 1976. He came through the ranks at America Mineiro before making his senior debut with them in 1997. He mostly played for Brazilian clubs except for a nine-year stint in Europe between 2002 and 2011 with Arsenal and Panathinaikos.
The Brazilian was a solid defensive midfielder who allowed opponents little to no time on the ball. He was excellent at marking players and tracking their runs. Gilberto also had a strong presence, and used his physique to dominate the centre of the park. He made 243 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 24 goals and assisting 13.
Gilberto made 93 appearances for Brazil as well, scoring three goals. With his country, he won the FIFA World Cup in 2002. In his club career, he won two FA Cups with Arsenal, and was also an integral part of the 'Invincibles' team of 2003-04.
Gilberto retired from football after spending one last season with Atletico Mineiro in 2013-14. He will be remembered as one of the best to have played in the Premier League and for Arsenal.
