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| Ljungberg, Kanu and Henry |
Arsenal All-Time Team
Arsenal All-Time Team Under Arsene Wenger
Arsenal All-Time Team for English Players
Arsenal All-Time Team from the British Isles(Excluding England)
Arsenal All-Time Team from the British Isles(Excluding England)
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Arsenal's foreign players. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Arsenal was the first club from the South of England to join The Football League, in 1893. They entered the First Division in 1904, and have since accumulated the second most points. Relegated only once, in 1913, they continue the longest streak in the top division. In the 1930s, Arsenal won five League Championships and two FA Cups, and another FA Cup and two Championships after the war. In 1970–71, they won their first League and FA Cup Double. Between 1989 and 2005, they won five League titles and five FA Cups, including two more Doubles. They completed the 20th century with the highest average league position.
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| Alexis and Özil |
GK: Jens Lehmann (Germany)
Jens Lehmann was voted UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year for the 1996–97 and 2005–06 seasons, and was selected for three World Cup squads. He was a member of Arsenal's Invincibles, playing every match of their famous unbeaten title winning season. He also holds the UEFA Champions League record for the most consecutive clean sheets, having not conceded a goal in 10 matches whilst at Arsenal.
GK: Gerrit Keizer (Netherlands)
Keizer joined Ajax Amsterdam at the age of 16. Then, he went to play in England. Keizer at first played as an amateur for Kent side Margate. He made Arsenal's debut against Blackpool on August 30, 1930. He went on to play in Arsenal's first twelve First Division matches of the 1930-31 season. With the Gunners, Keizer went on to win the First Division title of 1930-31. As well this victory was Arsenal's first ever league title.
GK: Petr Cech (the Czech Republic)
Petr Cech is best remembered for being Chelsea's undisputred starting keeper from 2004 to 2014. He won almost everything in club football, including the Champions'League in 2012. He is considered among the greatest of his era. He also played for Sparta Prague, Rennes and Arsenal. For Czech Republic, he is the most capped player in the history of the Czech team, with 124 caps.
RB: Lauren Etame Mayer (Cameroon)
Lauren Etame Mayer was a part of Arsenal's "Invincibles", a title given to Arsenal's team that went undefeated team in the Premiership. He was named PFA Team of the Year that season. He also played for , San Fernando, Sevilla, Levante, Mallorca and Portsmouth at the club level. He won two African Cup of Nations. He also won an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics with Cameroon.
RB: Bacary Sagna (France)
Barcary Sagna his career at Auxerre, before transferring to Arsenal for £7 million in 2007. In 2014, shortly after winning the FA Cup, his first trophy at the club, he made a move to Manchester City. From 2014 to 2017, Sagna played for Manchester City. He played for France at World Cup Finals in 2010 and 2014, and the European Championship in 2016.
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| Bacary Sagna |
Before joining Chelsea in 2001, William Gallas played for Coen and Marseille in France. In 2006, he moved to Arsenal in a deal that saw Ashley Cole going the other way. In 2010, he moved to Tottenham Hotspurs and became the first player to appear for the three London clubs. Between 2002 and 2010, he earned 84 caps. he played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup Finals as well as Euro 2004 and 2008.
CB: Laurent Koscielny (France)
Laurent Koscielny started his career in the lower division in France before moving to Lorient in 2009. He moved to Arsenal in 2010. Less than a season later, he was called up to the French national team. He had also considered playing for Poland. In total, he was capped 51 times. He played in Euro 2012 and 2016, and the World Cup Finals in 2014.
Laurent Koscielny started his career in the lower division in France before moving to Lorient in 2009. He moved to Arsenal in 2010. Less than a season later, he was called up to the French national team. He had also considered playing for Poland. In total, he was capped 51 times. He played in Euro 2012 and 2016, and the World Cup Finals in 2014.
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| Laurent Koscielny |
CB: Per Mertesacker (Germany)
At 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), Mertesacker is known for his height. From 2003 to 2006, he played for Hanover 96. From 2006 to 2011, he played for Werder Bremen. Then, he played from 2011 to 2018 for Arsenal. Mertesacker established himself as Germany's first choice centre-back for ten years, participating in European Championship in 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, winning the latter. He earned 104 caps.
At 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), Mertesacker is known for his height. From 2003 to 2006, he played for Hanover 96. From 2006 to 2011, he played for Werder Bremen. Then, he played from 2011 to 2018 for Arsenal. Mertesacker established himself as Germany's first choice centre-back for ten years, participating in European Championship in 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, winning the latter. He earned 104 caps.
CB: Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast)
LB: Gael Clichy (France)
From 2002 to 2003, Gael Clichy played for Cannes at home. Then, he played for Arsenal from 2003 to 2011. From 2011 to 2017, he played for Manchester City. Clichy earned 22 caps from 2008 and 2014. He went to two major tournaments: the World Cup Finals in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012. He played the last match at the World Cup Finals in 2010 after a strike by some of the senior players.
DM: Gilberto Silva (Brazil)
Gilberto Silva started his career with Atlético Mineiro. He was best remembered for his 6 seasons with Arsenal, where he joined after the 2002 World Cup Finals. He played 93 times for Brazil. He was a key player at the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan/Korea after Emerson was injured before the tournament. He also went to the World Cup Finals in 2006 and 2010. He captained the national team at the 2007 Copa America, where Brazil won its 8th title.
Gilberto Silva started his career with Atlético Mineiro. He was best remembered for his 6 seasons with Arsenal, where he joined after the 2002 World Cup Finals. He played 93 times for Brazil. He was a key player at the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan/Korea after Emerson was injured before the tournament. He also went to the World Cup Finals in 2006 and 2010. He captained the national team at the 2007 Copa America, where Brazil won its 8th title.
CM: Emmanuel Petit (France)
Petit began his career at minor club ES Arques-la-Bataille before being signed by Arsène Wenger's Monaco side at the age of 18. From 1997 to 2000, he again played for Wenger with Arsenal, establishing the French Connection at the club. For France, he was a part of the Golden Generation that won the World Cup in 1998, followed by winning the European Championship in 2000. He scored one of the goals in the World Cup Final against Brazil in 1998.
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| Emmanuel Petit |
Patrick Vieira was an all-time great with Arsenal. He won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. In England. he was famous for his rivalry with Roy Keane. He spent a season at Juventus, helping the team to the Serie A championship. Following Juventus' relegation for their part in a match-fixing scandal, Vieira played for Inter Milan and then, Manchester City for two seasons. With "Les Bleus", he won the WC in 1998 and European Championship in 2000. He earned 107 caps.
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| Patrick Vieira vs Keane |
Robert Pires played for Metz, Marseilles, Villarreal and Aston Villa, but was better remembered as a part of the "French Connection" at Arsenal. With Arsenal, he won three FA Cups and two Premier League titles including the club's unbeaten season of 2003–04. He played there from 2000 to 2006. For France, he was a part of the generation that won the World Cup in 1998 and European Championship in 2000. He was capped 79 times.
RW/LW: Fredrik Ljungberg (Sweden)
Fredrik Ljungberg began his career at Halmstads BK and went on to spend most of his career at Arsenal, where he won honours including two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, scoring in two finals including the victory in 2002. He also had short spells at a number of clubs in England, Scotland, the United States and Japan. Ljungberg earned 75 caps and was captain of the Swedish national team until he announced his international retirement after UEFA Euro 2008.
LW/RW: Marc Overmars (Netherlands)
Known for his speed, Overmars was a member of the youthful Ajax team that won the European cup in 1995. He moved to Arsenal in 1997, where he starred playing under Arsene Wenger. He won the Double in 1997-1998. He later moved to Barcelona and Go Ahead Eagles. His career with Oranja lasted from 1993 to 2004, and was an important player. He won the Best Young Player Award at USA 1994.
LW/RW: Anders Limpar (Sweden)
For his club career, Limpar featured for clubs IF Brommapojkarna, Young Boys, Cremonese, Arsenal, Everton, Birmingham City, AIK, Colorado Rapids and Djurgårdens IF. His club career peaked when he signed for Arsenal in the summer of 1990 from Cremonese for £1m. He went on to win the league title in the 1990–91 season. In total, Limpar won 58 caps for Sweden, scoring 6 goals. He was a member of Swedenthat finished third at the 1994 World Cup.
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| Anders Limpar |
Wiltord started with Rennes and Bordeaux before moving to Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. He also won the Ligue 1 title in each of his 3 subsequent seasons at Lyon. For France, he was capped 92 times, scoring 26 goals. He scored in the last seconds of the Euro 2000 final that brought the game to extra-time. France then won the final from a golden goal. He is the most capped French player who was not on the 1998 World Cup team.
AM: Tomas Rosicky (Czech Republic)
Tomas Rosicky was the star playmaker for the Czech Republic throughout the 2000s. He has taken part in four UEFA European Championships as well as the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was Czech Footballer of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2006. He started his career with Sparta Prague, and he had notable stints with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.
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| Tomas Rosicky |
Cesc was lured to play for Arsenal's academy in 2003 from Barcelona FC. He made his first time debut as a teenager. he helped Arsenal to reach the Champions' league Final in 2005. He retuned to Spain in 2011 with Barcelona, but returned to England in 2014, joining Chelsea. He was a part of Spain that won the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships.
Thierry Henry is the all-time leading scorer for both Arsenal and France. He was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice, and the FWA Footballer of the Year three times. He started with AS Monaco in 1994. The, he spent 8 seasons with Arsenal, where he enjoyed the peak of his career. He also played for Juventus, Barcelona and NY Red Bulls. He earned 123 caps and was a part of France's Golden Team form 1998 to 2002. He won the World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000.
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| Theirry Henry |
FW/RW: Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
After playing with Cobreloa, Sánchez was signed by Italy's Udinese in 2006. In 2011, he was signed by Barcelona for £25 million, becoming the most expensive transfer in Chilean football history. In 2014, he moved rot Arsenal. At the time of writing, he earned 108 caps. He has played in the WC Finals of 2010 and 2014. He helped Chile to win the 2015 Copa America. A year later, he led Chile to win Copa América Centenario in the US.
After playing with Cobreloa, Sánchez was signed by Italy's Udinese in 2006. In 2011, he was signed by Barcelona for £25 million, becoming the most expensive transfer in Chilean football history. In 2014, he moved rot Arsenal. At the time of writing, he earned 108 caps. He has played in the WC Finals of 2010 and 2014. He helped Chile to win the 2015 Copa America. A year later, he led Chile to win Copa América Centenario in the US.
FW: Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)
FW: Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands)
Dennis Bergkamp was the best-known Dutch player of the mid-1990's. He had 92 caps. He helped Netherlands to reach the semi-final of the 1998 WC Finals in France. His goal vs Argentina at was considered among the best ever scored in World Cup history. He also played in the World Cup Finals of 1994 and three European Championship. He started with Ajax and played for Inter Milan. He also had a very successful career with Arsenal, winning 7 major titles.
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| Dennis Bergkamp |
ST: Robin Van Persie (Netherlands)
Robin Van Persie played for Feyenoord between 2001 and 2004, but was known for his career playing in England. He spent 8 seasons with Arsenal, winning both PFA and FWA Player of the Year in 2011-2012. Immediately after winning the two awards, he made a controversial transfer to rival Manchester United. He also played for Fenerbahçe at the end of his career. At the time of writing, he has earned 102 caps, helping Netherlands to finish second in South Africa 2010.
Robin Van Persie played for Feyenoord between 2001 and 2004, but was known for his career playing in England. He spent 8 seasons with Arsenal, winning both PFA and FWA Player of the Year in 2011-2012. Immediately after winning the two awards, he made a controversial transfer to rival Manchester United. He also played for Fenerbahçe at the end of his career. At the time of writing, he has earned 102 caps, helping Netherlands to finish second in South Africa 2010.
Honorable Mention
Nicholas Anelka (France), Samir Nasri (France), Olivier Giroud (France), Pascal Cygan (France), Edu (Brazil), Manuel Almunia (Spain), Nacho Monreal (Spain), Santi Cazorla (Spain), Mikel Arteta (Spain), Andrey Arshavin (Russia), Mathieu Flamini (France), Emmanuel Eboué (Ivory Coast), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands), Stefan Schwarz (Sweden), Vladimir Petrović (Yugoslavia), Albert Guðmundsson (Iceland), Tomas Rosicky (Czech Republic), Thomas Vermaelen (Belgium).
Squad Explanation
-- All players from the Republic of Ireland are listed with my blog Arsenal All-Time Team for British Isles players (except England).
-- Five foreign players made my Arsenal All-Time Team. They are Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands), Thierry Henry (France), Patrick Vieria (France), Fredrik Ljungberg (Sweden) and Robert Pires (France). So I needed to find 20 foreigners not on my Arsenal All-Time team for this team.
-- Arsenal's most successful period was under manager Arsene Wenger. His teams was heavily relied on players from outside the United Kingdom, espeically French players.
-- On February 14, 2005, Arsenal become the first English club to field an all-foreign squad against Crystal Palace. Arsenal featured players from France, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Brazil, and Switzerland, but not a single one from the United Kingdom. They won 5-1 that day.
-- On February 14, 2005, Arsenal become the first English club to field an all-foreign squad against Crystal Palace. Arsenal featured players from France, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Brazil, and Switzerland, but not a single one from the United Kingdom. They won 5-1 that day.
-- Except for Gerrit Keizer and Anders Limpar, all players played under Arsene Wenger. Dennis Bergkamp was not signed by him, but he was a key player under Wenger.
-- Vladimir Petrović, Albert Guðmundsson, John Jensen and Stefan Schwarz made honorable mention. They did not play for Wenger.
-- Gerrit Keizer was the first foreign born player ever to play for the club. I selected him because it was a milestone for the club.-- Vladimir Petrović, Albert Guðmundsson, John Jensen and Stefan Schwarz made honorable mention. They did not play for Wenger.
-- Before the UEFA ended foreign restrictions in 1996, not many foreign players played for Arsenal. Daniel Le Roux (South Africa), John Kosmina (Australia), Vladimir Petrović (Yugoslavia) and Albert Guðmundsson (Iceland) were early foreign players for the club.
-- Albert Guðmundsson (Iceland) was the second foreigner ever to have played for the club. Vladimir Petrović (Yugoslavia) who joined Arsenal in 1982 was known as the club's first big time signing from overseas. His career was very limited in London.
-- Arsene Wenger had a successful career with AS Monaco between 1987 and 1994. Emmanuel Petit also played for Wenger with AS Monaco. He is the only player who played for both clubs under Wenger. Thierry Henry did not play for him in the senior side. He came from their youth academy under Wenger's guidance. Henry joined Wenger's Arsenal in 1999.
-- Albert Guðmundsson (Iceland) was the second foreigner ever to have played for the club. Vladimir Petrović (Yugoslavia) who joined Arsenal in 1982 was known as the club's first big time signing from overseas. His career was very limited in London.
-- Arsene Wenger had a successful career with AS Monaco between 1987 and 1994. Emmanuel Petit also played for Wenger with AS Monaco. He is the only player who played for both clubs under Wenger. Thierry Henry did not play for him in the senior side. He came from their youth academy under Wenger's guidance. Henry joined Wenger's Arsenal in 1999.
-- Giovanni van Bronckhorst only spent a short time here. Gael Clichy had a longer career here.
-- Anders Limpar's career was limited by his injuries. However, he was the first foreign player to have a starring role with the club. I gave him credit for that. Furthermore, I would like to spread the team around and took a player from outside Wenger's career.
-- Anders Limpar's career was limited by his injuries. However, he was the first foreign player to have a starring role with the club. I gave him credit for that. Furthermore, I would like to spread the team around and took a player from outside Wenger's career.
-- Nicolas Anelka played for Arsenal from 1997 to 1999. His career here was too short. Olivier Giroud had played here much longer, despite his reputation was not as good as Anelka's career here. Both only made honorable mention.
-- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the top scorer in the 2018-2019 Preimership, but his career here is still short at the time of writing.
-- Alexis Sanchez made the PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15. His controversial move to Manchester United might have damaged his reputation with the fans, but I still selected him into this team. Robin Van Persie also moved to Manchester United. Again, I also overlooked that.
-- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the top scorer in the 2018-2019 Preimership, but his career here is still short at the time of writing.
-- Alexis Sanchez made the PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15. His controversial move to Manchester United might have damaged his reputation with the fans, but I still selected him into this team. Robin Van Persie also moved to Manchester United. Again, I also overlooked that.
Formation
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