Throughout its more than 130-year history filled with ups and downs, Arsenal stands as the most storied and tradition-rich club in the land of mist and fog. They once had a glorious past as the first team to achieve the Premier League golden trophy. Even at the current moment, the talented young successors of the Gunners, along with manager M. Arteta, are on the path to reclaiming that radiant glory. The effort to have an illustrious Arsenal like today is the result of the hard work of many famous players. In this article, let's join Wintips to review the Dream Team - the Best players of Arsenal of all time. Guess who those football stars are?
Dream team the best players of Arsenal all of time
1. Goalkeeper: David Seaman
Arsenal has had many great goalkeepers, such as Pat Jennings and Jack Kelsey, but David Seaman is the chosen one for the number 1 jersey in this dream team. The English legend won the Division One title with Arsenal before the Premier League was established in 1992.
He remained the top choice between the posts for the Gunners until the 2003-04 season, before moving to Manchester City. Seaman won the Premier League title twice while wearing the Arsenal jersey and made 325 appearances in the top-flight league of English football - only Ray Parlour has played more matches for Arsenal in the club's history.
2. Right back: Lee Dixon - Best players of Arsenal
Dixon signed from Stoke City in January 1988 for around £300,000 ($370,000) and made 619 appearances before retiring in 2002. Only David O'Leary, Tony Adams, and George Armstrong have made more appearances for the Gunners. The right-back won 4 Premier League titles during his time in North London, as well as 3 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, and 1 Cup Winners' Cup.
Dixon was part of Arsenal's famous back four, the foundation of George Graham's success, but he also played a crucial role in the early stages of Arsene Wenger's reign. While there may be more standout right-backs than Dixon, there are few players in Arsenal's history who have achieved the same level of success and impact as he has.
3. Centre-back: Tony Adams - Best players of Arsenal
Tony Adams made 255 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, winning two additional titles in 1998 and 2002, having previously won the league in 1989 and 1991. This means Adams was alongside Arsenal for title wins across three different decades.
In addition to the four titles mentioned, this defender also won 3 FA Cups with the Gunners, not to mention 2 League Cups and 1 Winners' Cup. He is considered the greatest club captain, always occupying a familiar position at the heart of the defense. The former England international has spent his entire career with the Gunners, making 672 appearances and only David O'Leary to have played for the club more times than he has in Arsenal history.
4. Centre-back: Frank McLintock
McLintock was signed by Billy Wright to Arsenal in 1964 for a then-club record fee of £80,000 ($98,000). Although it took some time to fully adapt to the North London club, he began to flourish after Bertie Mee was appointed manager in 1968.
After two consecutive League Cup final defeats, Arsenal ended a 17-year wait for a major trophy in 1970 when they defeated Anderlecht to lift the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. McLintock was also part of this squad. The center-back then helped Arsenal secure a historic double in 1971 and was awarded the Player of the Year accolade. Ultimately, he left Arsenal in 1973, joining QPR.
5. Left-back: Eddie Hapgood - Best players of Arsenal
Hapgood's journey to Arsenal began when he was signed by the legendary manager Herbert Chapman in 1927. Coming from Kettering Town, he joined the Gunners for a modest fee of £950 ($1,170). Little did anyone know at the time, this signing would mark the beginning of a storied career at one of England's most iconic football clubs.
Quickly establishing himself as a mainstay in the Arsenal lineup, Hapgood's leadership qualities shone through, and he was appointed captain of the club during the 1930s. His impact went beyond just wearing the armband; Hapgood's defensive prowess and tactical awareness made him a linchpin in Chapman's renowned Arsenal side.
6. Midfielder: Patrick Vieira - Best players of Arsenal
Since Patrick Vieira stepped onto the field from the substitute bench in his debut match against Sheffield Wednesday at Highbury in 1996, Arsenal knew they had signed a special player. The French legend went on to win 3 Premier League titles while wearing the Gunners' jersey and captained the legendary Invincibles squad during the 2003-04 season.
Tall, powerful, and commanding, Vieira brought assurance to the midfield. One of the finest players to ever grace the Arsenal shirt, he made 279 Premier League appearances before departing for Juventus in 2005. From a "potential" player, thanks to the dedicated guidance of "professor" Wenger, Vieira became one of the top midfielders in the world. Possessing excellent ball recovery skills along with sharp passes, Vieira is one of the best midfielders in Arsenal's history.
7. Quarterback: Liam Brady
Brady's name will always be synonymous with Dennis Bergkamp when discussing the most talented players to ever grace Arsenal. In total, he made 307 appearances from 1973 to 1980 before moving to Juventus. Arguably, his finest moment came in the 1979 FA Cup final, where he helped Arsenal defeat Manchester United 3 - 2.
His goal in the famous 5-0 victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane also etched his name into Arsenal's history. A true magician on the pitch, Brady illuminated Highbury throughout the 1970s before taking his wizardry to Serie A. His talent and past influence led to him being elected Director of Arsenal's youth team development and training system.
8. Midfielder: Cliff Bastin - Best players of Arsenal
Bastin held the goal-scoring record for Arsenal for over 5 decades until Wright broke his record in 1997. He was signed by the Gunners at the young age of 17 from Exeter City in 1929. Legend has it that Herbert Chapman personally attended a match between Watford and Exeter to scout another player, but Bastin caught the eye of the manager.
Chapman swiftly recruited the forward, marking an inspired signing. Bastin netted 178 goals for the Gunners in 395 appearances, clinching 5 league titles and 2 FA Cups. Had it not been for the outbreak of World War II, Bastin could have likely scored even more goals and would still be atop Arsenal's all-time scoring chart to this day.
9. Midfielder: Freddie Ljungberg - Best players of Arsenal
Ljungberg was a relatively unknown player when Arsene Wenger brought him to the club from Sweden in 1998, but the midfielder transformed himself into a club legend during his 9 years in North London. From the moment he scored in his debut match against Manchester United, Arsenal fans knew they were getting a new hero.
Ljungberg went on to win 3 FA Cup titles and two Premier League championships with the Gunners and was an integral part of the legendary Invincibles squad. However, his best season in an Arsenal shirt came in 2001-02, when he practically single-handedly led the Gunners to the Premier League title with 7 goals in the final 7 matches of the season.
10. Forward: Dennis Bergkamp
This striker was signed from Inter Milan in 1995. Arsenal broke the transfer record at the time, paying £7.5 million ($9.2 million USD) to bring him to the club, but it was worth every penny. Bergkamp played for the North London side for 10 years, winning 3 league titles and 4 FA Cups. He was also voted the PFA Player of the Year for the 1997-1998 season.
He scored a total of 120 goals, becoming the 11th highest goal scorer in Arsenal's history. But Bergkamp's legacy goes beyond goals. Recognitions from Ian Wright, Nicolas Anelka, and Thierry Henry further attest to his talent. His ball control, technique, and vision made him a player everyone wanted to play with. Over his 10-year tenure, he provided 94 assists in the Premier League, more than 20 more than any other Arsenal player.
11. Forward: Thierry Henry - Best players of Arsenal
As the all-time leading goal scorer for Arsenal and one of the greatest players ever to be honored in the Premier League, Thierry Henry unquestionably earns his place in this lineup, and there's no debate about it. No one has had the impact on Arsenal that the Frenchman has had.
Notable achievements: The greatest striker in Arsenal's history, a true goal-scoring machine. Henry embodied all the qualities of a top-class striker: exquisite individual technique, lightning-fast acceleration, and an incredibly cunning mind. Henry was one of the most important factors in Arsenal's historic 2003/2004 season. With Arsenal, the "wind child" won 2 FA Cups, 2 Premier League titles, and a host of other individual honors.
Conclude
For Arsenal fans in particular and football enthusiasts in England in general, these names are undoubtedly worthy of standing in the "Temple of Legends." They are the ones who laid the foundation for the development and success of the Emirates Stadium club until now. Currently, players like Saka, Rice, or Havertz are all aiming for Premier League titles together. The latest news about Arsenal will be updated daily on our website bookmaker reviews. Stay tuned to not miss any hot news.
See also: Top 10 Brighton best player is ever (update for 2024)
