Top 10 greatest players of all time: Arsenal FC

In this article, we present to you our pick of the ten greatest-ever male players to ever represent Arsenal Football Club.

Very few clubs have a legacy more storied than Arsenal. Over the years, the North London club have been home to some of the finest talents to have graced the beautiful game. From prolific goalscorers, influential captains, to masterful defenders—the Gunners have seen them all.

Arsenal were at the forefront of the English game as early as the 1930s, under Herbert Chapman’s gaze. More than half a century later, a lanky Frenchman in Arsène Wenger emerged as a Premier League revolutionary and led the Gunners to three topflight titles in six years.

In order to make this list, we’ve taken a very specific set of criteria into account, which factors in the following:

• Impact
• Longevity
• Statistics
• Trophies

#10 Liam Brady

A skilful and influential midfielder, Liam Brady played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s success during the late 1970s and early 1980s. His exceptional technical ability, vision, and creativity made him the heartbeat of the team. He made 235 league appearances as an attacking midfielder and, despite leaving Arsenal with just an FA Cup, he set a new standard for naturally-gifted playmakers at the club.

The Irish playmaker joined Arsenal as a youth player and quickly rose through the ranks to become a key figure in the first team. Brady helped Arsenal secure the 1979 FA Cup with a series of outstanding performances. Although injuries hampered his time at Arsenal, his impact on the club cannot be understated. Brady was the club’s Player of the Year three times and recipient of the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in 1979. 

After leaving Arsenal, Brady continued to excel in Italy with Juventus and Inter Milan, showcasing his talent on the European stage.

#9 Charlie George

Charlie George watched Arsenal from the terraces as a boy. As a man, he wrote himself into the club’s history books with one of the most iconic FA Cup moments ever.

George’s moment of glory came in the 1971 FA Cup final against Liverpool, when he scored the winning goal in extra-time, etching his name in Arsenal folklore with his strike and celebration. Lying flat on the Wembley turf with arms outstretched, his celebration has gone on to become an enduring image in English football history.

In addition to his heroics in that FA Cup final, George’s performances for Arsenal showcased his technical ability and flair. His skill on the ball, powerful shooting, and creativity made him a key player in the team’s attacking play. While injuries affected just how good he would become, George will forever be remembered as one of the first players the fans labelled “The King of Highbury”. 

#8 Robert Pires

Robert Pires, a stylish and technically-gifted midfielder, played an instrumental role in Arsenal’s success during the early 2000s. 

Swapping Marseille for Arsenal in 2000, Pires quickly established himself as a key figure in Wenger’s Invincibles squad. His partnership with fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry was legendary, as they formed a devastating attacking combination. Pires’s ability to glide past defenders with ease and deliver precise crosses and through balls made him a constant threat in the final third.

Pires’s Arsenal career ended in a first-half substitution as the Gunners went down to ten men in the 2006 Champions League final. It was necessary, but not a fitting end for one of the most incredible wide players of his time. During his six-year spell with the Gunners, Pires won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

#7 David O’Leary

David O’Leary remains one of the most loyal and consistent figures in the club’s history. A legendary defender who spent his entire playing career at Arsenal, O’Leary’s defensive solidity, leadership qualities, and longevity set him apart as one of the all-time greats.

The Irish centre-back joined Arsenal as a youth player in 1973 and went on to make a staggering 722 appearances for the club, a record that still stands to this day. His ability to read the game, make timely interceptions, and lead the defensive line earned him immense respect.

O’Leary retired at Leeds United after winning two First Division titles and two FA Cups at Arsenal.

#6 Ian Wright

At the age of 22, Ian Wright was a bricklayer. He was almost 30 when the Premier League era began. The fact that he not only became an Arsenal legend in his playing career but also their top scorer is an incredible testament to the man’s determination, goalscoring ability, and craft.

“Wrighty” joined Arsenal in 1991 from Crystal Palace and wasted no time in making an impact. He quickly established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in English football, breaking records along the way. He became Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing the previous record set by Cliff Bastin.

But it wasn’t just the relentless goal records that Wright won fans over with; it was his personality too. The striker had a troubled upbringing, and in seeing him gleefully bouncing across the pitch the Gooners saw a part of themselves in their hero.

Also read: Manchester United’s top 10 greatest players of all time

#5 Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira epitomised the qualities of leadership, physicality, and technical excellence during his time at Arsenal. Following Arsène Wenger’s arrival in 1996, the Frenchman became his first signing, heralding a new era of success and dominance.

One of the greatest midfielders to ever play the game, the tall, strong Vieira was a defensive beast who loved lunging into crunching tackles— he could carry the ball, too. He would be involved in all phases of play and charge across the pitch at will. At his very best, no one could get near Vieira.

As Arsenal captain, Vieira led the team to unprecedented success, including three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. His influence on the pitch was matched by his leadership qualities and his ability to inspire those around him.

#4 Dennis Bergkamp

Known for his sublime skill, exquisite technique, and ability to produce moments of pure magic, Dennis Bergkamp is widely regarded as one of the most gifted players to ever don the Arsenal colours. His arrival in 1995 signalled the beginning of a new era and transformed the team’s style of play.

Bergkamp’s vision and creativity were unparalleled, as he consistently produced defence-splitting passes and breathtaking goals. His ability to control the ball in tight spaces with his first touch and the know-how to execute precise finishes made him a true artist on the pitch. 

Thierry Henry would later go on to describe his “non-flying” Dutch strike partner as the greatest player he’d ever played with—over the likes of Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane. Everything Bergkamp did was graceful and poetic, and he still inspires hundreds of thousands, years later.

#3 Tony Adams

Tony Adams once said that, if you played for the name on the front of the shirt, the fans would remember the name on the back. Fans call the English centre-back “Mr Arsenal” to this day, and many still regard him as one of the greatest captains football has ever seen.

Stood outside the Emirates Stadium is a statue of Adams, arms outstretched and a satisfied grin across his lips—arguably the most famous moment of Adams’s Arsenal career that is now immortalised in bronze.

But Adams never had it easy. An alcoholic, he battled addiction and came out the other side, returning to football as good as he ever was. He even adapted under Arsené Wenger to be better on the ball and go on daring runs from defence. 

Adams is the only captain in history to lift England’s topflight crown in three different decades. After serving as the youthful leader in George Graham’s resolute rear guard between 1989 and 1991, Adams evolved with the modern game, remodelling himself under Wenger’s tutelage to claim domestic glory again in 1998 and 2002.

#2 Cliff Bastin

The fact that Cliff Bastin’s name is still mentioned among the Arsenal greats nearly 100 years after his debut is testament not just to the goals he scored but the style with which he played. 

Bastin joined Arsenal in 1929 as a teenager and quickly made his mark. Despite playing much of his career as an inside-left, he had a remarkable knack of finding the back of the net with precision and frequency that set him apart from his peers. His intelligent movement off the ball and clinical finishing also made him a nightmare for opposing defenders.

During his time at Arsenal, Bastin won five league titles and two FA Cups, solidifying his place as one of the key figures in the club’s success. He also became Arsenal’s all-time leading goal scorer—a record that stood for over 60 years. 

#1 Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry, widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history, left an indelible mark on Arsenal during his two spells at the club. His combination of pace, skill, and a lethal eye for goal made him a nightmare for opposition defenders.

There simply has never been a more complete forward in the Premier League. Henry racked up four Golden Boots at Highbury, and in the season that he didn’t win it he assisted 20 league goals; no player has surpassed this record. The Frenchman was magnificent as Arsenal won the domestic double in 2002 and otherworldly the following season, scoring 30 and assisted 20 goals as Arsenal went unbeaten in the 2003/04 season. In 2006, he put the Gunners on his back and led them to a Champions League final, only to lose out by the slimmest of margins. 

Led by Henry, Wenger’s Arsenal came to be known as one of the classiest, most devastating, most entertaining teams in English football. There has never been anyone like Henry at Arsenal—and there never will be.