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| O’Leary, Stapleton,Jennings, Nelson, Devine, Rice and Brady |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Arsenal All-Time Team
Arsenal All-Time Team Under Arsene Wenger
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Arsenal's players from the British Isles, excluding the English players. I did a Arsenal All-Time Team for English 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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| Bob Wilson and Frank McLintock |
GK: Pat Jennings (N.Ireland)
Pat Jennings is considered among the greatest goalkeeper of all-time. The prime of his career was spent with both Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal. In 1973 the Football Writers' Association named him as its footballer of the year. Three years later he won PFA's version of the award – he was the first goalkeeper to receive this accolade, and to this date remains only one of two, along with Peter Shilton. He earned 119 caps for Northern Ireland and went to two WC Finals.
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| Pat Jennings |
As a player, Bob Wilson played as an amateur for Wolverhampton Wolves before he was signed by Arsenal in 1963. He is most noted for his career at Arsenal between 1963 and 1974. He made over 300 appearances for Arsenal. Born in England to Scottish parents, he was capped by Scotland twice in 1971.
GK: Jack Kelsey (Wales)
Kelsey had 41 caps for Wales. He was Wales' keeper at the World Cup Finals in 1958, their only finals appearance to date. They were eventually knocked out 1–0 by winners Brazil in the quarter-finals.. He spent his entire career with Arsenal. He played over 300 games for Arsenal from 1949 to 1963. He became their starter in the 1953-1954 season. However, he went trophyless during his time there.
RB: Pat Rice (N.Ireland)
Pat Rice played for Arsenal between 1967 and 1980. He was known for being a member of the team that won the League/FA Cuo Double in 1970-1971 season. He was one of the few Arsenal players who had played for five FA Cup Finals, winning the cup twice. He was capped 49 times for Northern Ireland.
RB/LB: Walley Barnes (Wales)
Barnes initially played as an inside-forward for Southampton in wartime games between 1941 and 1943. From 1943 to 1956, he played for Arsenal, reaching the Final of two FA Cups, winning the one in 1950. Barnes played 20 times for Wakes. He made his debut in 1947 in which he guarded Sir Stanley Matthews in that game.
CB: David O'Leary (Ireland)
David O'Leary made a record of 722 appearance for Arsenal. For Arsenal, he won the English League, FA Cup and the League Cup, two of each. He also played briefly with Leeds United at the end of his career. With 68 caps, he represented Ireland at the World Cup Finals in 1990, scoring the winning penalty against Romania in the penalty shootout.
HB/CB: Dave Bowen (Wales)
Bowen only played 12 times for Northampton before catching the eye of Arsenal. He joined them in 1950. He was Arsenal captain in his final two seasons. In all he played 162 matches for the club, scoring twice. For Wales, Bowen went on to win 19 caps for Wales, and was the team's captain for their 1958 World Cup campaign. Along with goalkeeper Jack Kelsey, Bowen was the first Arsenal player to play in a World Cup.
CB: Terry Neill (N.Ireland)
Neill played as a youth for Bangor before making Arsenal's debut against Sheffield Wednesday in 1960. He became the youngest Arsenal captain in the club's history at 20 years of age. From 1970 to 1973, he played for Hull City. In total, he played 275 times for Arsenal, scoring ten goals. From 1963 to 1973, he was capped by Northern Ireland for 59 times.
CB: Willie Young (Scotland)
Nicknamed "Big Willie" Young first played for Aberdeen,between 1970 and 1975. He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 1975, but he joined Arsenal in 1977. He later played for Norwich City, Brighton and Hove and Darlington. Young never played a full international for Scotland having been banned for life after an incident concerning a light bulb in a Copenhagen nightclub in 1975
LB: Sammy Nelson (N.Ireland)
Nelson turned professional with Arsenal on his 17th birthday in 1966. He played in all three of their successive FA Cup finals, winning it in 1979. Nelson made his debut for Northern Ireland as a substitute against England on 21 April 1970. He went on to win 51 international caps, two of which came in Northern Ireland's matches at the 1982 World Cup.
LB: Bob John (Wales)
Born in Barry, John played for Barry Town and Caerphilly, before joining English club Arsenal in 1922 for a fee of £750. He won the 1930 FA Cup, followed by three First Division titles, in 1930–31, 1932–33 and 1933–34. He also scored Arsenal's only goal of the 1932 FA Cup Final. For Wales, he played 15 times between 1923 and 1936.
DM/CB: Frank McLintock (Scotland)
McLintock earned a professional contract with English First Division club Leicester City in 1956. He played in two League Cup final defeats before he was sold to Arsenal in 1964. Appointed as captain he led the club to their first European trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970. The following season, 1970–71, he captained Arsenal to the Double, as they won the league and the FA Cup. He earned only 9 caps, largely because of playing at the same time with Dave Mackay, John Greig, Bobby Murdoch and Billy Bremner.
DM: John Dick (Scotland)
Dick first played for Airdrieonians, but in 1898 he was signed by London side Woolwich Arsenal as one of manager William Elcoat's many Scottish signings. He was an ever-present as Arsenal won promotion from the Second Division to the First Division in 1903-04. In all, he played 262 games for Arsenal in the League and FA Cup, and 30 in other first-class matches.
LH/DM: Alex Forbes (Scotland)
Forbes signed for Sheffield United in 1944 . After Forbes suffered an injury, he lost his place in the Sheffield United. Arsenal signed Forbes in 1948. He played for Leyton Orient, Fulham and non-league club Gravesend and Northfleet before retiring as a player. Forbes played 14 times for Scotland between 1947 and 1952. He also represented Scotland at ice hockey.
LH/LM: Roddy McEachrane (Scotland)
At age 20, McEachrane started to work at the Thames Iron Works, and joined the works football team, Thames Ironworks F.C. In May 1902, McEachrane joined Second Division side Woolwich Arsenal. His arrival coincided with the south London club's first period of success, as they finished third in the 1902-03 season, and then second in 1903-04, which won them promotion to the First Division.
LM: Billy Blyth (Scotland)
Blyth played as a schoolboy for Wemyss Athletic. He was with Manchester City briefly before signing for Arsenal in 1914. He became a mainstay in the side 10 seasons between the war, and became club captain in 1925. He moved to Birmingham in 1929. He also starred in one of the first football-related films, the 1930 production The Great Game.
CM: Aaron Ramsey (Wales)
Aaron Ramsey made his senior debut for Wales at the age of 17. He was made captain at the age of 20, the youngest ever. He was a part of Wales' team that made to the semifinal of the European Championship in 2016, where he was included in the Team of the Tournament. He also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. At the club level, Ramsey started his career with Cardiff in 2006, but made his name with Arsenal when he joined in 2008.
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| David O'Leary |
Bowen only played 12 times for Northampton before catching the eye of Arsenal. He joined them in 1950. He was Arsenal captain in his final two seasons. In all he played 162 matches for the club, scoring twice. For Wales, Bowen went on to win 19 caps for Wales, and was the team's captain for their 1958 World Cup campaign. Along with goalkeeper Jack Kelsey, Bowen was the first Arsenal player to play in a World Cup.
CB: Terry Neill (N.Ireland)
Neill played as a youth for Bangor before making Arsenal's debut against Sheffield Wednesday in 1960. He became the youngest Arsenal captain in the club's history at 20 years of age. From 1970 to 1973, he played for Hull City. In total, he played 275 times for Arsenal, scoring ten goals. From 1963 to 1973, he was capped by Northern Ireland for 59 times.
CB: Willie Young (Scotland)
Nicknamed "Big Willie" Young first played for Aberdeen,between 1970 and 1975. He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 1975, but he joined Arsenal in 1977. He later played for Norwich City, Brighton and Hove and Darlington. Young never played a full international for Scotland having been banned for life after an incident concerning a light bulb in a Copenhagen nightclub in 1975
LB: Sammy Nelson (N.Ireland)
Nelson turned professional with Arsenal on his 17th birthday in 1966. He played in all three of their successive FA Cup finals, winning it in 1979. Nelson made his debut for Northern Ireland as a substitute against England on 21 April 1970. He went on to win 51 international caps, two of which came in Northern Ireland's matches at the 1982 World Cup.
LB: Bob John (Wales)
Born in Barry, John played for Barry Town and Caerphilly, before joining English club Arsenal in 1922 for a fee of £750. He won the 1930 FA Cup, followed by three First Division titles, in 1930–31, 1932–33 and 1933–34. He also scored Arsenal's only goal of the 1932 FA Cup Final. For Wales, he played 15 times between 1923 and 1936.
DM/CB: Frank McLintock (Scotland)
McLintock earned a professional contract with English First Division club Leicester City in 1956. He played in two League Cup final defeats before he was sold to Arsenal in 1964. Appointed as captain he led the club to their first European trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970. The following season, 1970–71, he captained Arsenal to the Double, as they won the league and the FA Cup. He earned only 9 caps, largely because of playing at the same time with Dave Mackay, John Greig, Bobby Murdoch and Billy Bremner.
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| Frank McLintock |
Dick first played for Airdrieonians, but in 1898 he was signed by London side Woolwich Arsenal as one of manager William Elcoat's many Scottish signings. He was an ever-present as Arsenal won promotion from the Second Division to the First Division in 1903-04. In all, he played 262 games for Arsenal in the League and FA Cup, and 30 in other first-class matches.
LH/DM: Alex Forbes (Scotland)
Forbes signed for Sheffield United in 1944 . After Forbes suffered an injury, he lost his place in the Sheffield United. Arsenal signed Forbes in 1948. He played for Leyton Orient, Fulham and non-league club Gravesend and Northfleet before retiring as a player. Forbes played 14 times for Scotland between 1947 and 1952. He also represented Scotland at ice hockey.
LH/LM: Roddy McEachrane (Scotland)
At age 20, McEachrane started to work at the Thames Iron Works, and joined the works football team, Thames Ironworks F.C. In May 1902, McEachrane joined Second Division side Woolwich Arsenal. His arrival coincided with the south London club's first period of success, as they finished third in the 1902-03 season, and then second in 1903-04, which won them promotion to the First Division.
LM: Billy Blyth (Scotland)
Blyth played as a schoolboy for Wemyss Athletic. He was with Manchester City briefly before signing for Arsenal in 1914. He became a mainstay in the side 10 seasons between the war, and became club captain in 1925. He moved to Birmingham in 1929. He also starred in one of the first football-related films, the 1930 production The Great Game.
CM: Aaron Ramsey (Wales)
Aaron Ramsey made his senior debut for Wales at the age of 17. He was made captain at the age of 20, the youngest ever. He was a part of Wales' team that made to the semifinal of the European Championship in 2016, where he was included in the Team of the Tournament. He also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. At the club level, Ramsey started his career with Cardiff in 2006, but made his name with Arsenal when he joined in 2008.
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| Aaron Ramsey |
Alex James was one of the greatest player ever for Arsenal. He is most noted as the play making lynch pin with Arsenal with whom he won six senior trophies in the first seven seasons of the 1930s. he also played for Preston Northend. For Scotland, he was known with his partnership with Hughie Gallacher. He was a member of "Wembley Wizards" that England 5-1 in 1928. However, he was only capped 8 times.
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| Alex James |
Crawford started playing for Glasgow side Fairfield Rangers in 1887. In 1890, he joined Sheffield United of the Midland Counties League. Then, Crawford moved to London to join Woolwich Arsenal, becoming the first professional player for the side. He at once became a regular as the club joined the Football League in 1893. All in all, he played 211 times for Woolwich Arsenal in pre-league, league and cup games, scoring 18 goals altogether.[3]
LW/AM: Liam Brady (Ireland)
Liam Brady played over 200 times for Arsenal in the 1980's. He was the PWA Player of the Year in 1979. He was one of the few successful Irish players playing outside the UK. In 1980, he moved to Juventus, where he won two Series A titles in two seasons. He went on to play for Inter Milan and Ascoli before joining West Ham in 1987. He made 72 caps for Republic of Ireland, but he never went to a major tournament.
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| Liam Brady |
For his club career, Graham played for Aston Villa, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Portsmouth and Crystal Palace. He was part of the side that won the Football League Championship and FA Cup "double" in 1971. That year, he earned his first cap for Scotland. In total, he had 12 caps.
FW: David Herd (Scotland)
David Herd played for Arsenal, Manchester United, Stockport County, and Stoke City. He was the 15th leading scorer with Arsenal, where he played from 1954 to 1962. With Manchester United, he won the European Cup in 1968, but he did not play in the Final against Benfica. He was capped 5 times for Scotland. His first cap was in 1958 against Wales.
FW: Jimmy Logie (Scotland)
Logie first played for Scottish junior side Lochore Welfare, before being signed by Arsenal in 1939. He served in the Royal Navy during the War. He took part in all of Arsenal's early post-war successes; Arsenal won two First Division titles in 1947-48 and 1952-53, and the 1949-50 FA Cup – Logie set up both goals in a 2-0 win over Liverpool in the final. He only ever won a single a cap for Scotland, playing against Northern Ireland on 5 November 1952.
ST: Frank Stapleton (Ireland)
Frank Stapleton was Ireland's all-time leading scorer for a decade. He had 71 caps. He captained Ireland at the European Championship in 1988. It was Ireland's first major tournament. At the club level, he is best remembered for his time at Arsenal and Manchester United, where he won a single FA Cup for both clubs. He also played in Holland, Belgium and France after he left Manchester United.
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| Frank Stapleton |
Nicholas began his career at Celtic. He scored 48 goals in the 1982 to 1983 season while winning both Scottish PFA Player of the Year and Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year awards. From 1983 to 1988, he played with Arsenal. He later played with Aberdeen before rejoining Celtic in 1990. From 1983 to 1989, he played 20 times for Scotland. He was in Scotland's squad for the 1986 World Cup, playing in the group matches against Denmark
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| Charlie Nicholas |
Billy McCullough (N.Ireland), Steve Morrow (N. Ireland), John Hartson (Wales), Eddie McGoldrick (Ireland), Joe Havety (Ireland), John Devine (Ireland), David Greenaway (Scotland), Angus McKinnon (Scotland), Johnny MacLeod (Scotland), Dan Lewis (Wales), Charlie Jones (Wales), Eddie Kelly (Scotland0, Caesar Jenkyns (Wales)
Squad Explanation
-- Some of the greatest Arsenal players came from the British Isles, but it is my most difficult Arsenal's blog to research. Many players are from the early years of the club.
-- Pat Jennings, Bob Wilson, David O'Leary, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, Alex James and Liam Brady are also on my Arsenal All-Time Team.
-- My blog team Arsenal All-Time Team Under Arsene Wenger does not consist a single non-English player from the British Isles. It said something about how Wenger transformed Arsenal into a club of foreign players. Aaron Ramsey did play for him, but he did not make that team.
-- Arsenal went undefeated in the Preimership in the 2003-2004 season. The team was known as the "Invincibles". Goalkeeper Graham Stack of Ireland was the only member of the team who was from the British Isles outside of England. He played 5 games in the League Cup that season.
-- I honored some of the old-timers playing for the club under the name Woolwich Arsenal. It was playing in the lower division. Gavin Crawford, Billy Blyth, Roddy McEachrane, etc played for them.
-- Caesar Jenkyns (Wales) became the club's first ever international player, after winning a cap for Wales against Scotland on 21 March 1896. He was a defender who played with Woolwich Arsenal between 1895 and 1896. He made honorable mention.
-- Three members of the squad are members of my Ireland All-Time Team. They are Liam Brady, Frank Stapleton and David O’Leary.
-- David O'Leary is the all-time appearance leader for the club. At the time of writing Pat Rice is 7th.
-- Frank McLintock was credited for his key role in Arsenal's double triumph. He won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in the 1970-1971 season. He also led the club to their first European trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970.
-- Liam Brady also won a winner of the PFA Players' Player of the Year award in the 1978-1979 season. He was credited for his part in Arsenal's FA Cup triumph that year. Of course, Brady's contribution to Arsenal is well-known.
-- I also created a team for Arsenal's English players only. Arsenal All-Time Team for English Players.
-- Arsenal won the 1979 FA Cup with Liam Brady, Frank Stapleton, and David O' Leary from Ireland, Pat Jennings, Sam Nelson and Pat Rice from Northern Ireland, and Willie Young from Scotland. Pat Rice was their captain and Terry Neil as manager.
-- Willie Young was a fan favourite.
-- I always thought Charlie Nicholas was known as ""Champagne Charlie". His career was better known for outside the playing field, but he was voted the 50 Greatest Arsenal Players by the fans on the official website. I selected him because of that.
-- Arsenal consisted many good left back or left half. So I did not have room for Billy McCullough or Jimmy Jackson,
-- Gavin Crawford was one of my Arsenal's first ever professional players. He was one of the longest-surviving members of Arsenal's first professional side, along with Bill Julian and Jack McBean. The three stalwarts were reunited at an Arsenal game against Chelsea on 20 March 1948.
-- Niall Quinn (Ireland)'s career with Arsenal was not too successful.
-- George Graham's name was often associated with being the manager of Arsenal. As a player, he was part of the side that won the Football League Championship and FA Cup "double" in 1971.
-- Dave Bowen edged out Eddie Kelly for the last spot. Along with Jack Kelsey, Bowen was the first ever Arsenal active player to play in a WC Finals. He was the captain of Wales' national team in 1958.
Formation
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