Top 10 Best Arsenal Players of All Time

Arsenal are one of the best teams in the history of English professional soccer. They have been in the top flight of English soccer since 1919 and have won the league 13 times. Arsenal plays their matches at the Emirates Stadium, and the Gunners have had hundreds of different players. Here are the top ten best Arsenal FC soccer players of all time.

Who Are the Best Arsenal FC Soccer Players of All Time?

1. Thierry Henry
2. Tony Adams
3. Dennis Bergkamp
4. Patrick Vieira
5. David Seaman
6. Liam Brady
7. Ian Wright
8. Robert Pires
9. Charlie George
10. Pat Jennings

1. Thierry Henry

• Two-time Premier League champion
• Two-time FA Cup champion
• Four-time Golden Boot winner

Thierry Henry is considered the best player in Arsenal’s history. He played for the club twice, the first time from 1999-2007 and then briefly for a loan in 2012. Henry made 377 appearances and scored 228 goals, which made him the club’s all-time scorer until 2017. He won the Premier League with Arsenal twice in 2002 and 2004.

Henry also won the Golden Boot award four times and the PFA Players’ of the Year award two years consecutively. Arsenal made it to the UEFA Champions League final in 2006 and Henry scored several important goals during the tournament. Arsenal was ultimately defeated 2-1 by Barcelona in the final.

Henry also played an important role in Arsenal’s undefeated 2003-2004 season. He scored 30 goals and provided nine assists. Henry’s legacy is upheld by Arsenal fans, who revere him for his playing style and goal-scoring ability. Henry continues to hold the record for most hat-tricks scored during his time with the team, an astounding eight. Henry is not only one of the most decorated Arsenal players, but also one of the most beloved, and he continues to be widely celebrated by Arsenal fans everywhere.

2. Tony Adams

• Four-time Premier League champion
• Three-time FA Cup champion
• European Cup Winners’ Cup champion (1994)

Tony Adams is considered one of Arsenal’s best defenders and a highly celebrated player. With Arsenal, Adams made 669 appearances, which is the second highest number of appearances in the club’s history. Adams scored 48 goals, which is a relatively high number for a defender. Included in the 48 goals was a header that helped Arsenal beat Tottenham at Wembley, a feat for which he is still praised. He won the Premier League four times with Arsenal, the League Cup three times, and the FA Cup twice. Adams was also a vital part of the team winning the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

Adams was also the captain of Arsenal for many years during his career. He was one of the club’s longest serving captains and was known for his dedication to his team on and off the field. Adams won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 1988 and was on the PFA Team of the Year four times. Tony Adams was an intimidating player who is still remembered for his command of the backline.

3. Dennis Bergkamp

• Three-time Premier League champion
• Four-time FA Cup champion
• UEFA Champions League runner-up (2006)

Dennis Bergkamp is considered one of the best forwards in Arsenal’s history. Bergkamp was celebrated for his technical ability and he played a large role in Arsenal’s success. He made 423 appearances and scored 120 goals during this time. With Bergkamp up front, Arsenal won the Premier League three times and the FA Cup four times. He also won the League Cup twice. His individual accolades include being named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 1998 and was named to the FIFA 100 in 2004.

Bergkamp was an impressive player, so much so that he won BBC Goal of the Season for his goal against Newcastle United in 2002. During the 2003-2004 season Arsenal went undefeated and Bergkamp was a large part of their success even though his stats that season may not reflect it. Bergkamp contributed through his passing range, scoring nine goals, providing assists and helping create scoring opportunities. Earlier in his career, Bergkamp was known for his incredible goals but also came to be known for his passing and strategic ability.

4. Patrick Vieira

• Three-time Premier League champion
• Four-time FA Cup champion
• UEFA Cup runner-up (2000)

Patrick Vieira was one of the best midfielders in Arsenal’s history. He ended up being an important part of Arsenal’s success during his time with the club. He made 406 appearances and scored 34 goals for Arsenal. Vieira helped Arsenal earn many titles, including winning the Premier League three times, lifting the FA Cup four times, and led Arsenal to the UEFA Cup finals in 2006. Vieira was included on the PFA Team of the Year six times. His individual accolades include French Footballer of the Year, which he won in both 2001 and 2002; he won Arsenal Player of the Season in 2001.

Vieira also served as Arsenal’s captain starting in 2002. Vieira was captain during the team’s undefeated season (2003-2004) and he helped the team by controlling the midfield and using his physicality to stop attacks before they happened. He made 38 appearances that season and scored six goals. Vieira contributed greatly to the team through his leadership and his ability to  keep spirits high and this is how he’s remembered at Emirates Stadium.

5. David Seaman

• Two-time Premier League champion
• Four-time FA Cup champion
• European Cup Winners’ Cup champion (1994)

David Seaman is considered one of the best goalkeepers in Arsenal’s history. David Seaman made his debut for Arsenal in August 1990. He made 564 appearances and kept 289 clean sheets. With Seaman in the net, Arsenal lifted the FA Cup four times, won the Premier League twice, and brought home a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994. His individual accolades are just as numerous; he was named the FWA Footballer of the Year in 1997 and was included in the PFA Team of the Year four times.

Seaman’s strongest ability was in penalty saves. He was known for making several saves during his career that a lesser keeper would have let go in. Seaman played for Arsenal for 13 seasons. On his 1,000th professional game with Arsenal against Sheffield United, Seaman pulled off an impossible save and rounded out his time with the team by cementing his place as one of their greatest players.

6. Liam Brady

• FA Cup champion (1979)
• UEFA Cup Winners Cup runners-up (1980)
• PFA Young Player of the Year (1977)

Liam “Chippy” Brady started playing for Arsenal when he was 15 years old. He started with the youth system and made his way up, until 1973 when he would make his first-team debut. Brady stayed with Arsenal until 1980, and while he was there, he made 307 appearances and scored about 59 goals with the team. He played a role in helping Arsenal win the FA Cup in 1979. He played for Arsenal in the game against Manchester United in which they won 3-2 and with Brady starting a play that ended in the final goal. 

Brady’s creativity and skill on the field earned him many individual accolades as well. He was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1977 and earned the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award in 1979. Additionally, he played a large role in developing Arsenal’s offense through various strategies and fortifying the attacking plays. Brady is remembered for his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

7. Ian Wright

• Premier League champion (1998)
• Two-time FA Cup champion
• UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup champion (1994)

Ian Wright has the legacy of being a prolific goalscorer for Arsenal. He made 288 appearances and scored 185 goals over this time. Wright still has the second-highest goal scoring record just behind Thierry Henry. Wright lifted the FA Cup with Arsenal twice and won the League Cup in 1993. Wright played an important role in Arsenal winning the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1994 where he scored a goal in the final against Parma.

Wright always knew how to find the net and he earned many individual accolades for this ability. He finished as the league's top scorer in those seasons, with 29 goals and 23 goals.

Wright won the Premier League Golden Boot twice during his Arsenal career and the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 1993 and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in the same season. Wright is also remembered for his hat-tricks; he recorded six hat-tricks throughout his time with the club.

8. Robert Pires

• Two-time Premier League champion
• Two-time FA Cup champion
• UEFA Champions League runner-up (2006)

Robert Pires has had his fair share of impressive moments while playing for Arsenal’s midfield and racked up several awards for both the team and individually. He made 284 appearances and scored 84 goals. Pires won the Premier League twice and lifted the FA Cup three times. As a midfielder Pires created several scoring opportunities while on the pitch. In terms of individual awards, Pires was named PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2002.

Pires continued to remain a prolific goalscorer throughout his career. During the 2004-2005 season, Pires had the third-highest goal scorer in the Premier League. Pires often provided goal scoring opportunities for Thierry Henry and their partnership served to make Arsenal's offense much stronger. Pires was also part of the Arsenal 2003-2004 season when the team was undefeated and finished with 14 goals in that season. Pires played for Arsenal until 2006 and during that time he cemented his place as one the best midfielders in Arsenal’s history.

9. Charlie George

• Football League First Division champion (1971)
• FA Cup champion (1971)
• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup champion (1970)

Charlie George was another prolific Arsenal scorer. He began playing for Arsenal in 1969 and would go on to play for them until 1975. He appeared in 179 Arsenal matches, 130 of which were in the English First Division. George had the impressive ability to score from anywhere on the pitch and scored 49 goals for the club, 34 of which were in the English First Division. He was also on the 1971 team that won the First Division title.

George is remembered for his shooting ability as well as his ability to dribble past the other team’s defense. George played a role in Arsenal’s 1971 FA Cup win when he scored the winning goal against Liverpool in the final game. While his later Arsenal years were cut short and marred by injuries, Charlie George remains one of Arsenal’s best attacking midfielders of all time.

10. Frank McLintock

• Football League First Division champion (1971)
• FA Cup champion (1971)
• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup champion (1970)

Frank McLintock transferred to Arsenal from Leicester City and played a large role in the team’s success. He made 403 appearances with Arsenal. As a central defender, scoring opportunities are rare, but McLintock managed to score 32 goals anyway. McLintock was an impressive player because he knew how to excel both offensively and defensively. While McLintock was on the team, Arsenal won the Division One title and lifted the FA Cup in 1971.

McLintock earned many individual awards including the FWA Footballer of the Year in 1971. McLintock also served as Arsenal’s captain and quickly earned the love of his teammates and many fans. He’s also known for his defensive strategy and his partnership with David Rocastle that stopped many plays. While at Arsenal, McLintock earned an MBE. He only played for Arsenal until 1973, but still remains in the hearts of Arsenal fans everywhere.

Honorable Mentions

• Cliff Bastin
• Sol Campbell
• Lee Dixon
• Pat Jennings
• Freddie Ljungberg
• David O’Leary
• Marc Overmars
• Ray Parlour
• Pat Rice
• David Rocastle

FAQ