Throughout its more than 130-year history filled with ups and downs, Arsenal has stood as the most storied and tradition-rich club in the land of mist and fog. They made history as the first team to achieve the Premier League golden trophy. Even now, the talented young successors of the Gunners, along with manager M. Arteta, are on the path to reclaiming that radiant glory. The effort to build the illustrious Arsenal of today is the result of the hard work of many legendary 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 the time
1. Goalkeeper: David Seaman
Arsenal has seen many great goalkeepers, such as Pat Jennings and Jack Kelsey, but David Seaman stands out as the best choice for the number 1 jersey in this dream team. The English legend won the First Division title with Arsenal before the Premier League era began in 1992.
He remained the top choice in goal 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 English top-flight league—only Ray Parlour has played more matches for Arsenal in the club's history.
2. Right back: Lee Dixon - One of the best players of Arsenal
Dixon was 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 played more games for the Gunners than Dixon. The right-back won four Premier League titles during his time in North London, as well as three FA Cups, one League Cup, and one Cup Winners' Cup.
Dixon was a key member of Arsenal's legendary back four, which formed the foundation of George Graham's success. He also played a crucial role in the early years of Arsène Wenger's reign. While there may have been more technically gifted right-backs than Dixon, few players in Arsenal's history have matched his level of success and influence.
3. Centre-back: Tony Adams - One of the best players of Arsenal
Tony Adams made 255 Premier League appearances for the Gunners. He won two more league titles in 1998 and 2002, having previously secured championships in 1989 and 1991. This means Adams was with Arsenal for title-winning campaigns across three decades.
In addition to the four titles mentioned, this defender also won three FA Cups with the Gunners, not to mention two League Cups and one Winners' Cup. He is considered one of the greatest club captains in Arsenal’s history, always occupying a familiar position at the heart of the defense. The former England international spent his entire career with the Gunners, making 672 appearances—only David O’Leary has played more games for the club in Arsenal’s history.
4. Centre-back: Frank McLintock
McLintock was signed by Billy Wright for Arsenal in 1964 for a then-club record fee of £80,000 ($98,000). Although he initially struggled to adapt to the North London club, he began to flourish after Bertie Mee took over as manager in 1968.
After suffering two consecutive League Cup final defeats, Arsenal finally ended their 17-year trophy drought in 1970 by defeating Anderlecht to win the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. McLintock, a key figure in Arsenal’s defense, was also an integral part of this squad. The center-back played a crucial role in Arsenal’s historic double-winning campaign in 1971 and won the Player of the Year award. In 1973, he ultimately parted ways with Arsenal and joined QPR, marking the final chapter of his illustrious career with the Gunners.
5. Left-back: Eddie Hapgood - One of the best players of Arsenal
Hapgood's journey to Arsenal began in 1927 when he was signed by the legendary manager Herbert Chapman, a visionary who transformed the club. Hailing from Kettering Town, he joined the Gunners for a modest transfer fee of £950 ($1,170). Little did anyone know at the time that 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 demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and was appointed captain of the club during the 1930s. His impact went beyond wearing the armband; Hapgood's defensive prowess and tactical awareness made him a linchpin in Chapman's renowned Arsenal side.
6. Midfielder: Patrick Vieira - One of the best players of Arsenal
Since Patrick Vieira stepped onto the field as a substitute in his debut match against Sheffield Wednesday at Highbury in 1996, Arsenal have known they had signed a special player. The French legend went on to win three Premier League titles while wearing the Gunners' jersey and went on to captain the legendary Invincibles squad during the 2003-04 season.
Tall, powerful, and commanding, Vieira provided stability and confidence in the midfield. One of the finest players ever to grace the Arsenal shirt, he made 279 Premier League appearances before departing for Juventus in 2005. Once a promising prospect, Vieira flourished into one of the world's top midfielders under the dedicated guidance of 'Professor' Wenger. With outstanding ball recovery skills and precise distribution, Vieira was one of the greatest midfielders in Arsenal's history.
7. Quarterback: Liam Brady
Brady's name will always be mentioned alongside Dennis Bergkamp when discussing the most talented players ever to grace Arsenal. Over the course of his Arsenal career from 1973 to 1980, he made 307 appearances before transferring to Juventus. Arguably, his finest moment came in the 1979 FA Cup final, when he played a crucial role in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Manchester United.
His goal in the famous five-nil 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 bringing his magic to Serie A. His talent and past influence led to his election as the Director of Arsenal’s youth development program.
8. Midfielder: Cliff Bastin - One of the best players of Arsenal
Bastin held the goal-scoring record for Arsenal for over five decades until Wright broke his record in 1997. He was signed by the Gunners at the 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 his eye.
Chapman swiftly recruited the forward, which proved to be an inspired signing. Bastin netted 178 goals for the Gunners in 395 appearances, clinching five league titles and two FA Cups. Had it not been for the outbreak of World War II, Bastin could have scored even more goals and would still be at the top of Arsenal's all-time scoring chart today.
9. Midfielder: Freddie Ljungberg - One of the best players of Arsenal
Ljungberg was a little-known player when Arsene Wenger brought him to the club from Sweden in 1998, but the midfielder transformed himself into a club legend during his nine years in North London. From the moment he scored in his debut match against Manchester United, Arsenal fans knew they had found their next hero.
Ljungberg went on to win three FA Cup titles and two Premier League titles 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 single-handedly led the Gunners to the Premier League title with seven goals in the final seven matches of the season.
10. Forward: Dennis Bergkamp
Arsenal signed this striker from Inter Milan in 1995. Arsenal broke the transfer record, paying £7.5 million (USD 9.2 million) to bring him to the club—a move that proved to be invaluable. Bergkamp played for the North London side for ten years, winning three league titles and four FA Cups. He was also voted the PFA Player of the Year for the 1997/98 season.
He scored a total of 120 goals, becoming the 11th-highest goalscorer in Arsenal's history. However, Bergkamp's legacy goes beyond goals. Recognition from Ian Wright, Nicolas Anelka, and Thierry Henry further attests to his talent. His ball control, technique, and vision made him a player with whom everyone wanted to play. Over his 10-year tenure, he provided 94 assists in the Premier League, which is over 20 more than any other Arsenal player.
11. Forward: Thierry Henry - One of the best players of Arsenal
As the all-time leading goalscorer 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, leaving no room for debate. No one has made a greater impact on Arsenal than the Frenchman.
Henry is the greatest striker in Arsenal's history, a true goal-scoring machine. He embodied all the qualities of a top-class striker: exquisite individual technique, lightning-fast acceleration, and exceptional football intelligence. Henry was one of the key figures in Arsenal's historic 2003/04 season. With Arsenal, the legendary forward won two FA Cups, two Premier League titles, and a host of other individual honors.
Conclusion
For Arsenal fans in particular and football enthusiasts in England in general, these names undoubtedly deserve a place in the "Temple of Legends." They are the ones who laid the foundation for the development and success of Arsenal Football Club to this day. 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.
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