Top 10 Best Arsenal Players: Arsenal Legends (Ranked)

The history of European football, especially that of England, is incomplete without Arsenal. And the main reason for that is definitely because of the best Arsenal players who have created magic, stories, and class. There is something about the North London swagger that has made football fans fall in love with the red and white. From the thunderous roars of Highbury to the iconic Emirates Stadium, these players don’t just win matches, they make fans freeze in the stands with their style. Whether it was Thierry Henry gliding past the defenders with his exquisite dribbling skills or Dennis Bergkamp pulling off incredible goals to light up the stadium, the best Arsenal legends have given the club its soul, its steel, and numerous unimaginable moments.

Now, it’s time to relive those moments here. On this list of best Arsenal players, we have chosen these footballers who have graced the beautiful North London. They have not only lifted the games from debris, but also have elevated the titles into tradition. Whether you are a new Gunner or a seasoned supporter of the club, here is your chance to meet the greatest Arsenal legends who have made the club more than a legacy while making their mark in the Premier League.

List of Best Arsenal Players Ever

The best players of Arsenal have not only dazzled on the pitch, but also have redefined eras. When you talk about success and legacy, you are talking about those players who didn’t just deliver unforgettable moments; they brought elegance and beauty. From legendary strikers to fierce defenders, we have listed best players of Arsenal FC. The names below have shaped the identity of the Gunners.

Rank	Player	Position	Tenure
1	Thierry Henry	Forward	1999-2007, 2012 (loan)
2	Dennis Bergkamp	Forward	1995-2006
3	Tony Adams	Defender	1983-2002
4	Patrick Vieira	Midfielder	1996-2005
5	Ian Wright	Forward	1991-1998
6	Robert Pires	Forward	2006-2006
7	Liam Brady	Midfielder	1973-1980
8	David Seaman	Goalkeeper	1990-2003
9	Charlie George	Forward	1966-1975
10	Sol Campbell	Defender	2001-2006, 2010

How we Ranked the Best Arsenal Players of All Time?

In order to find out Arsenal FC best players of all time, we focused on more than just skills and facts. Every influential figure on this list was measured by career-defining factors to find out whether they truly deserve to be the best Arsenal legends and what factors have been influential here. 

• Longevity: A great player doesn’t come and go on short notice as he stays the course. We looked at those players who had remained at Arsenal for a long time, stood the test of time and delivered when it mattered most. 
• Consistency: Another important ranking factor is consistency and we gave importance to those who not only had one great season but also maintained their high-level performances week in and week out. 
• Impact in Key Matches: Legends rise while the rest go to sleep. Whether it was vital Premier League games, Champions League nights or trophy-deciding matches, we have put the names of the best players of Arsenal on the list based on their impact in important games. 
• Trophies/Achievements: In sports, only success matters. To find out Arsenal FC best players in the history, we considered the number of trophies, titles and achievements these individuals earned in their career as a Gunner.

Who is Arsenal FC Best Player Ever?

The best players of Arsenal, we are about to bring back to you, from Tony Adams and Robert Pires to Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, turned the Emirates stadium into a fortress. These club icons established the supremacy of the Red and White, inspiring generations to believe in Arsenal and its ideology. 

10. Sol Campbell (England)

Either you destroy your opponents, or you get destroyed by them. This was the mentality of Sol Campbell, one of the Arsenal legends who was the rock at the heart of Arsenal defense when the English club was cruising like a submarine in the era of the Invincibles. The beloved “Big Sol” of the Gunners was a defensive unit in himself who was built and fearless like an overcharged cannon. After spending nine years with the biggest city rival of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, his decision to move to Emirates was a very bold yet brilliant decision. 

Defenders are not loved or recognised because they are involved in dirty work to fulfill the will of their managers. Many people also didn’t like the way Sol Campbell played, but he earned his glory the hard way. Three FA Cups and two English Premier League titles are no joke, and the English center-back won them all. A defender’s defender, an immovable force at the back, and a leader – Campbell is truly one of the best Arsenal players ever.

Apps	369
Goals	16
Assists	NA
Major trophies	Premier League (2), Fa Cup (3)

9. Charlie George (England)

A rockstar on and off the pitch! Charlie George was not only a lover of ladies, but also a talisman during his playing time at Arsenal. Long hair, stylish look and a swagger attitude instilled in the North London environment made him a pure Gunner. Maybe the young fans of the club don’t know him that much, but when he scored the winner in the 1971 FA Cup final and hit the ground with stretched hands, all gunners from yesteryears were feeling like watching a cinema full of joy, emotion and ecstasy. They were chanting “Charlie George, the rockstar”. 

A local boy from Islington, with fire in his belly and hunger in his eyes, scored 48 goals in 179 appearances as a Red and White. He is becoming one of the Arsenal legends is not just about numbers as he lived the life of Arsenal through and through during his stint. With the 1971 FA and League Cup double under his belt, it’s fair to say Charlie George was Arsenal.

Apps	179
Goals	49
Assists	14
Major trophies	Premier League (1), Fa Cup (1)

8. David Seaman (England)

If the word ‘’safe’ is described as a person, then it is David Seaman. The English player with his legendary hands was more than just a goalkeeper between the sticks. His reflexes, calmness under pressure, leadership qualities and iconic ponytail made him a complete package of entertainment in football. Seaman’s career at the North London club can be summarised easily if you mention three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a European Cup Winners’ Cup. 

And about his goal-keeping greatness! Well, everyone remembers his single-handed iconic save against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi final. Solid and reliable, Seaman is one of the greatest Arsenal legends who was an iceberg in the chaotic fire. A true Gunner and one of the greatest to ever wear the gloves.

Apps	564
Goals	0
Assists	0
Major trophies	Premier League (3), Fa Cup (4), Cup Winners’ Cup

7. Liam Brady (Ireland)

A legend, a hero and a folkloric figure. Liam Brady was there for Arsenal even before there was a Dennis Bergkamp, a Thierry Henry or a Mesut Ozil at the club. His every pass outclassed the class of passing in shame. With his talismanic figure on the pitch, he swept the ball across the field like poetry. He wasn’t the fastest on the field, but his brain was the strongest.

Between 1973 and 1980, Brady made 307 appearances for the North Londoners, scoring 59 goals mostly by his sweet left footed screamers from outside the penalty box. When flair was rare in English football, Brady made Arsenal run the show in the country. How did he become one of the best Arsenal players ever? Amongst many other moments, the standout one was his stunning winner in the Gunners’ 3-2 victory in the 1979 FA Cup final.

Apps	307
Goals	59
Assists	10
Major trophies	Fa Cup

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6. Robert Pires (France)

Robert Pires, a true Arsenal legend who didn’t just play, he glided. With his silky touch and timed passes, he made scoring and assisting look like an easy task. The French attacker amassed 62 goals and 84 assists alongside his country’s compatriot, Thierry Henry who shared a telepathic connection between the two of them.

A rhetorical figure in the Invincibles era of the Gunners, Pires lifted two English top flight trophies and three FA Cups. He was so good with the ball which made every move look effortless. He was not good with words, but his football made him one of the best Arsenal players for sure.

Apps	284
Goals	62
Assists	3
Major trophies	Premier League (2), Fa Cup (3)

5. Ian Wright (England)

The Wrighty of Arsenal, who brought a sense of fun and entertainment to the club when joined them in 1991 as a then club-record transfer. His sprinting with long legs and wild celebrations helped him earn a place in the hearts of the club supporters quickly. The striker of the ball who did not believe in luck as he made the ball talking through scoring for fun at his will. Want to know how lethal he was in front of goals? Well, him racking up 185 goals in 288 games across all formats speaks volume.

He was not just a scorer, he was an integral part of Arsene Wenger’s invincible era where he was the jury and he was judge, and he was the one who committed crime by toying defenders before finding the back of the net. Wright was all about energy who was the master of every major trophy the Gunners had won at that time. From the European Cup to FA cup, Ian Wright, one of the best Arsenal players ever, won everything possible for the Londoners.

Apps	288
Goals	185
Assists	40
Major trophies	Premier League (1), Fa Cup (2)

4. Patrick Vieira (France)

When a young French kid came to North London from Milan as a teenager, who would have thought he would end up being one of the greatest Arsenal players ever! His defensive quality? Rock solid. His control? Unworldly. His name is Patrick Vieira, and he was a master of the ball who didn’t just play the ball on the pitch, he was a big visible wall in front of the backline. You do not mess with Vieira. He was a beast in the middle of the park – just ruthless. He had the elegance of Cleopetra and the hunger of a tiger.

Coming from Milan, he quikly rose through the ranks and became the heartbeat of Wenger’s midfield. Tall and energetic like a goliath, he used to run the show for the Invincibles, winning   three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. He was not only one of the best Arsenal players, but also an outpost who made the team purr and roar.

Apps	332
Goals	66
Assists	45
Major trophies	Premier League (3), Fa Cup (4)

3. Tony Adams (England)

Many players have come and gone, but the name of Tony Adams will forever be etched in the history of Arsenal for the player he was. He not only put on the jersey of the club, but also was the heart of Arsenal. A leader, the backbone of the defense and a one-club legend, Adams spent almost his entire career as a Gunner, winning four English Premier League titles and three FA Cups in the process. He is one of those few players who have led a club in three different decades and won league trophies under three different managers. Isn’t it crazy?

He didn’t have a fleshy physique yet he was fierce, determined and focused, who never hesitated to engage in a fight on the pitch. The Arsenal legend has a statue outside the Emirates stadium, meaning if you don’t love Tony Adams, you don’t have Arsenal DNA in you.

Apps	673
Goals	48
Assists	NA
Major trophies	Premier League (4), FA Cup (3), Cup Winners’ Cup

2. Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands)

Our second best Arsenal player ever is Dennis Bergkamp, who used to bring life to football whenever he stepped onto the field. If football is art, then he is the Piccaso of it. Bergkamp was a perfectionist who made impossible tasks look casual. The Dutch phenomena could change the course of a game with a single touch. Remember his finish against Newcastle United in a Premier League game? It still resides rent-free in every football watchers’ heads.

Arsene Wenger began to build the Invincibles around him who took charge of the attack. Bergkamp scored 120 goals in his decorated career and made countless assists in winning leagues, FA Cups and European trophies. But what made him one of the best Arsenal players in history was his contribution to turning the club into a superpower.

Apps	423
Goals	120
Assists	24
Major trophies	Premier League (3), FA Cup (4), FA Community Shield (3)

1. Thierry Henry (France)

Thierry Henry is Arsenal and Arsenal is Henry. And he is the best Arsenal FC player ever. He is one of those few players who changed the trajectory of a club with his style and elegance. The French legend scored a whopping 228 goals and collected 74 assists for the Gunners – the stats that help us understand how lethal a striker he was. His playing style was a mixture of stylish footwork, lightning pace and clinical finishes. He was so fast and so quick with the ball, he could flick past the opponents in a blink before smashing the net. 

Henry is not only one of the best Arsenal legends, he also played a major role in helping Arsene Wenger’s team to break the shackles of underdogs before establishing themselves in European football. He was not only good, he was the greatest.

Apps	377
Goals	228
Assists	74
Major trophies	Premier League (2), FA Cup (3), FA Community Shield (2)

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