The 10 Greatest Arsenal Players in Premier League History

Regarded as one of the most illustrious and accomplished clubs in British and European football, Arsenal has attracted a host of exceptional players from various corners of the world throughout its history. However, despite their reputation, the Gunners have secured only three Premier League titles since the league's inception in 1992 (in 1998, 2002, and 2004).

Nonetheless, Arsenal has enjoyed a prosperous journey in the Premier League, and this article presents an opportunity to recognize and rank the ten greatest players in the club's Premier League history.

Ranking factors

To select them, we decided to use a number of criteria, including:

• Performances, records and trophies won
• Legacy
• How fans view them

10. Cesc Fabregas

At Arsenal from 2004 to 2011

Cesc Fabregas made his way to Arsenal at a remarkably young age of 16, having risen through the ranks at Barcelona. He swiftly established himself as a crucial player for the Gunners in 2004, following their iconic Invincibles campaign.

During his seven-year spell in North London, the exceptional Spanish midfielder, who went on to become a World Cup champion with the Spanish national team in 2010, featured in 212 Premier League matches for Arsenal. He scored 35 goals and provided 76 assists during his time at the club. Although Fabregas returned to Barcelona in 2011, it was not until his move to Chelsea that he finally secured an English league title, winning two (in 2015 and 2017) to add to his extensive list of achievements.

9. Freddie Ljungberg

At Arsenal from 1998 to 2007

Arriving at Arsenal in 1998, Freddie Ljungberg had limited experience in top-level European football. Joining from Halmstad, the Swedish midfielder had to navigate through both highs and lows during his tenure with the Gunners.

Ljungberg, a versatile attacking midfielder known for his lethal qualities and exceptional bursts of speed, represented Sweden on 75 occasions, scoring 14 goals. Unfortunately, he faced several physical setbacks throughout his career. Nevertheless, these challenges did not hinder him from featuring in nearly 220 Premier League matches for Arsenal, precisely 216. During his time at the club, Ljungberg made a significant impact, contributing to 77 goals (46 goals and 31 assists).

8. Sol Campbell

At Arsenal from 2001 to 2006, 2010

Making the decision to leave Tottenham and join Arsenal, or vice versa, requires immense courage. In 2001, Sol Campbell made that very choice, despite coming off a strong season with Spurs. The defensive stalwart faced intense scrutiny from Gunners fans but swiftly justified their expectations by showcasing his intelligence, power, and technical abilities. Campbell played a pivotal role in leading Arsenal to numerous trophies, including two English Championship titles in 2002 and 2004.

On May 17, 2006, in his final match of his initial stint with the London club, Campbell scored the opening goal in a Champions League final. Unfortunately, Arsenal would go on to lose 1-2 against Barcelona. It was a bitter farewell, but one that will forever be etched in history.

7. David Seaman

At Arsenal from 1990 to 2003

When David Seaman made the move from Queens Park Rangers to Arsenal in 1990, the Premier League had not yet come into existence. However, it seemed as though Seaman was a symbol of the Gunners' promising future, as he promptly led his new team to the First Division title in his debut season. He showcased his incredible abilities with an impressive 24 clean sheets in 38 games.

This marked the beginning of Seaman's illustrious career at Arsenal. As the Premier League era commenced, the towering 6ft3in goalkeeper went on to win two more league championships with the Gunners in 1998 and 2002. In total, Seaman played 325 games in the Premier League, conceding just 266 goals and securing 140 clean sheets. Over his remarkable 13-year tenure at Arsenal, the England international made a staggering 541 appearances for the club.

6. Robert Pires

At Arsenal from 2000 to 2006

Joining Arsenal in 2000, Robert Pires arrived fresh off a European Championship victory with the French national team. He spent six fruitful years in London, playing a crucial role in the iconic Invincibles' campaign of 2004. In that season, he contributed 14 goals and nine assists in 38 games.

As a left-footed midfielder, Pires made a total of 189 appearances in the Premier League, making a significant impact on 105 occasions (63 goals and 42 assists). He won the Premier League title with Arsenal in both 2002 and 2004. Pires was known for his speed, exceptional vision, and goal-scoring prowess, so much so that he even managed to make Gunners fans forget about the influential Mark Overmars.

5. Patrick Vieira

At Arsenal from 1996 to 2005

In August 1996, Patrick Vieira arrived in London from AC Milan with relatively little fanfare. However, the French midfielder wasted no time in proving why Arsene Wenger, the new manager of Arsenal, had sought his services.

Standing tall at 6ft3in, the former AS Cannes player swiftly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. Vieira seamlessly combined physical strength with technical finesse, showcasing his ruggedness and work ethic. In 2002, he was appointed captain, embodying the leadership qualities that had been evident from the start.

Over the course of 279 Premier League appearances, Vieira contributed 28 goals and 30 assists, while also accumulating 75 yellow cards. His commanding presence and all-round abilities made him an indispensable figure for Arsenal.

4. Ian Wright

At Arsenal from 1991 to 1998

Undoubtedly, Ian Wright is considered one of the greatest players in Arsenal's history. Having been recruited from Crystal Palace in 1991, he swiftly rose to prominence as a highly esteemed center-forward. Despite his relatively small stature of 5ft7in, Wright dominated the early years of the Premier League with his exceptional talent, consistently surpassing the 15-goal mark in the league from the 1992/93 to the 1996/97 seasons.

A key contributor to Arsenal's English championship victory in 1998, Wright made a total of 213 appearances in the Premier League, with 191 of them being for Arsenal. During this time, he found the back of the net an impressive 104 times and provided 14 assists for his teammates. Although his goal-scoring record has since been surpassed by Thierry Henry, Wright was once the top scorer in the history of the North London club.

3. Tony Adams

At Arsenal from 1983 to 2002

Tony Adams is a rare example of a modern football player who has remained loyal to a single club throughout his career. He joined Hale End in 1980 at the age of 14 and made his debut for Arsenal just three years later at the age of 17. From that point on, Adams experienced it all with the Gunners.

As the captain of Arsenal, Adams led the team to success in the First Division, winning titles in 1989 and 1991. He continued his leadership in the newly named Premier League, guiding Arsenal to two more league championships in 1998 and 2002. Renowned as "Mr Arsenal," Adams became an iconic figure at the club, leaving a lasting impact during his nearly two decades of service.

In recognition of his contributions, Adams is one of six Arsenal legends to have a statue erected in his honor on the forecourt of the Emirates Stadium. His commitment and loyalty to Arsenal have solidified his status as one of the club's all-time greats.

2. Dennis Bergkamp

At Arsenal from 1995 to 2006

Dennis Bergkamp initially faced difficulties when he joined Arsenal in 1995, but he quickly made his mark. His unofficial debut at Highbury came with a brace against Southampton on September 23 of that year. From that point on, the Dutch striker consistently dazzled both England and the world with his incredible talent.

During his time with the Gunners, Bergkamp played a total of 315 Premier League games, scoring 87 goals. His unforgettable strike against Newcastle on March 2, 2002, is etched in football history. Additionally, he provided 88 assists, showcasing his ability to create opportunities for his teammates. In his nine years at Arsenal, Bergkamp secured three league titles, adding to his impressive list of honours.

Despite his well-known phobia of flying, which earned him the nickname "Non-flying Dutchman," Bergkamp's impact on the pitch was undeniable. His technical brilliance and elegance made him one of Arsenal's most revered players.

1. Thierry Henry

At Arsenal from 1999 to 2007, 2012

There is no denying the immense impact Thierry Henry had during his time at Arsenal, as evidenced by his election as the club's 'Best Ever Player' by the fans in 2008. Over the course of eight seasons, with a brief return in 2012, the French striker left an indelible mark on the club.

In his 258 Premier League appearances between 1999 and 2007, Henry was a constant threat to his rivals. He made a staggering 255 contributions to goals (175 goals, 80 assists), highlighting his prowess as a scorer and creator. During his time at Arsenal, he won two league titles (2002, 2004), four Premier League 'Golden Boot' awards, and two PFA Player of the Year awards.

Henry's goal-scoring ratio is truly remarkable, as he holds the highest ratio of goals scored per minute among the 11 players who have scored at least 150 goals in the Premier League, averaging a goal every 122 minutes. Like Tony Adams, Henry has been honored with a statue around the Gunners' stadium, further solidifying his status as an Arsenal legend.