Ranking the Best Arsenal Goalkeepers of the Premier League Era

10. Lukasz Fabianski

During his seven-year tenure at Arsenal, Lukasz Fabianski primarily served as a backup goalkeeper. While he has since proven himself to be a reliable and skilled keeper at Swansea City and West Ham, his time with the Gunners was marked by inconsistency.

Nerves seemed to be a significant issue for the Polish international, yet he still managed to make 78 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal. Notably, he started in the FA Cup final victory over Hull City in 2014. Fabianski's true quality only became apparent towards the end of his Arsenal career, and even more so after his departure. Consequently, his overall impact at Arsenal was limited, preventing him from ranking higher on this list.

9. David Ospina

David Ospina's tenure at Arsenal saw him feature prominently in both domestic and European competitions, though he never quite fully earned the unwavering trust of the fans. In his debut campaign in 2014/15, he played 18 Premier League matches, but only managed 11 more league appearances over the next three seasons combined, largely due to the arrival of Petr Cech in the summer of 2015.

Ospina left the club with 70 appearances to his name. His agility and excellent shot-stopping abilities helped Arsenal secure some critical victories. He is most fondly remembered for his role in the Gunners' 2017 FA Cup triumph, starting four of their six matches, including the final, in which Arsene Wenger's side defeated Chelsea. However, much like Fabianski, the Colombian would go on to have a more significant impact at other clubs.

8. John Lukic

John Lukic enjoyed two spells with the Gunners, with his first and more successful one coming before the inception of the Premier League. The former Leeds United custodian made 277 appearances in seven years at Highbury and played every match of the 1988/89 season, which famously culminated in Arsenal winning the league title at Anfield.

Lukic was ultimately replaced by Seaman the following year, but he returned to the club as a backup in 1996 and played 18 league games over the course of five more years in North London. Despite his reduced role in his second stint, he remains a popular figure among Arsenal supporters. If his first spell with the club had occurred during the Premier League era, he would undoubtedly have ranked even higher on the list.

7. Bernd Leno

Bernd Leno's arrival at Arsenal marked the beginning of a new era in goalkeeping for the club. Leno swiftly established himself as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers, amassing well over 100 appearances for Arsenal before being rather abruptly replaced by Aaron Ramsdale at the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

Mikel Arteta was swiftly assembling a squad he believed capable of challenging for titles, and Leno was one of the casualties of the Spaniard's ambitions, despite having hardly made any mistakes during his three years at the Emirates up to that point. The German spent a season on the bench before joining Fulham, where he immediately became one of their standout players and the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

6. Aaron Ramsdale

The signing of Aaron Ramsdale to replace Leno raised many eyebrows, especially considering the goalkeeper's experience of suffering relegation with both Sheffield United and Bournemouth in the previous two seasons. However, he swiftly showcased his value to the club with his exceptional distribution, quality on the ball, and ability to make spectacular reflex saves, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2022/23 season.

However, just like Leno before him, Ramsdale was replaced the following summer due to concerns over his concentration on the pitch. David Raya was brought in from Brentford, initially on loan, instantly relegating his new teammate to the bench. Ramsdale faces a significant challenge in reclaiming his position in the starting XI of an Arsenal side that is continually strengthening with each passing campaign.

5. David Raya

David Raya swiftly cemented his place among Arsenal's most illustrious goalkeepers of the Premier League era. The Spaniard's debut season in north London saw him secure an unmatched 16 clean sheets in the league, earning him the prestigious Golden Glove award, while Arsenal narrowly missed out on the top-flight title.

Raya further endeared himself to supporters with two outstanding saves in the penalty shootout following Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Porto across two legs in the Champions League round of 16 in 2024. His crucial denials of Wendell and Galeno from the spot sealed his side's progression to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2010. Arsenal fans will be optimistic that manager Mikel Arteta has finally discovered his definitive number one goalkeeper.

4. Petr Cech

Petr Cech's arrival at Arsenal in 2015 heralded the addition of one of the most seasoned and revered goalkeepers in the world. With 110 appearances for the Gunners, the Czech goalkeeper provided a dependable presence during his tenure, even though his peak years were predominantly with Chelsea.

The 2015/16 season stands out as a particularly memorable one for Cech, during which he kept 16 clean sheets, showcasing his exceptional ability to command the defense and make crucial saves. While widely regarded as one of the premier goalkeepers of the Premier League era, it's worth noting that the majority of his accolades were earned during his time with Chelsea, which impacts his ranking on this list.

3. Wojciech Szczesny

Wojciech Szczesny's journey at Arsenal is a captivating narrative of a young and promising talent blossoming into a world-class goalkeeper. Rising through the ranks, Szczesny claimed the mantle of Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper at the tender age of 20, amassing an impressive 181 appearances for the club. His blend of talent, confidence, and flair endeared him to the fans.

Szczesny's tenure was punctuated by spectacular saves and a commanding presence in goal, earning him accolades such as the Premier League Golden Glove in the 2013/14 season. However, with the arrival of Petr Cech in 2015, Szczesny opted to pursue opportunities elsewhere, embarking on a loan spell at Roma where he spent two fruitful seasons. His journey eventually led him to Juventus, where he solidified his status as one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

2. Jens Lehmann

Jens Lehmann's legacy at Arsenal is indelibly linked with one of football's most remarkable achievements: the Gunners' undefeated league campaign in 2003/04. With 148 appearances for the club, the German goalkeeper epitomized boldness, leadership, and an unwavering determination to succeed. His fearless approach and crucial saves were instrumental in Arsenal's historic season as part of the Invincibles squad.

Lehmann's heroics in pivotal matches, including memorable performances during the club's run to the Champions League final in 2006, further cemented his legendary status. Despite being sent off in the final against Barcelona, Lehmann remains cherished by Arsenal supporters for his contributions and resilience. He is revered as one of the most memorable goalkeepers in the club's modern history.

1. David Seaman

David Seaman's name holds a special place in the hearts of Arsenal fans, representing an era of unwavering reliability and iconic moments. Widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in the club's history, Seaman's illustrious career spanned 13 years at Highbury, during which he amassed a remarkable 541 appearances and clinched nine major honors.

Seaman's tenure as Arsenal's last line of defense epitomized consistency and excellence. His legendary status was solidified by unforgettable moments, none more so than his remarkable save against Sheffield United in the 2003 FA Cup semi-final at the age of 39. This pivotal moment underscored his enduring impact and cemented his legacy as a true Arsenal icon.

Throughout his time at the club, Seaman played a pivotal role in Arsenal's success, contributing to two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and a European Cup Winners' Cup triumph. His commanding presence and remarkable saves were instrumental in shaping Arsenal's golden era, earning him a place among the club's all-time greats.