Arsenal are one of the most famous clubs in world football, with the Arsene Wenger era, in particular, helping to significantly boost their popularity. During the Frenchman’s best years, the Gunners ticked every box. They had the best players, won the greatest domestic honours, as well as very nearly winning Europe’s top prize. On top of that, however, and perhaps most importantly, they played the most attractive football – a type of football that revolutionised the English game.
The fact is, when pulling on the famous shirt, a player’s popularity and stock price would rise at an incredible rate. Of course, nowadays, the effect is slightly lessened by Arsenal’s struggles on the pitch, but Mikel Arteta’s team are doing their best to overcome that, as they continue to lead the Premier League.
With that said, we’ve ranked the 10 most famous players in Arsenal history.
10) Paul Merson
Now working as a pundit, Paul Merson’s fame has increased significantly since retirement, but that does not mean it wasn’t a factor in his playing days, as one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players.
In total, he made 376 appearances for The Gunners, scoring 87 goals, and assisting a further 28. Meanwhile, when it came to trophies, Merson was not left short of success, winning two league titles, one FA Cup, one Community Shield, and one League Cup.
He continues to be in the spotlight too, regularly featuring for Sky as they build up to the biggest games, most recently being seen in the studio analysing the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
A truly underrated player who may well have gone on too long, instead of retiring at his very best.
9) Robert Pires
As part of the Arsenal Invincibles, Robert Pires was as famous as he was magic on the football pitch, as he played a vital role under Wenger. he won Arsenal’s Player of the Season in 2001/02, as he recorded 24 goal involvements in the Premier League in what was an incredible campaign.
He is now seen as one of the most elegant left wingers there has ever been during his time at Arsenal.
Throughout his time with the club, he scored goals, provided assists, and twisted the blood of every full-back he came up against.
Now a FIFA 23 Icon, he’s being introduced to an entire generation of new fans.
8) Lee Dixon
Like Merson, Lee Dixon’s fame has increased since his playing days, with his work as a pundit and as a commentator on video game, FIFA, inflating his popularity.
As a player, the former right-back made 567 appearances for Arsenal, and even managed a total of 26 goals for the Gunners.
Dixon ended his career with four league titles to his name – two First Division titles and two Premier League titles – as well as three FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
With a trophy cabinet as heaving as that, we can’t ignore him here.
7) Martin Keown
Continuing the theme of pundits, Martin Keown has been a constant feature on the likes of BT Sport and BBC over the years, as he continues to offer his expert opinion.
As a player, he was famous for being a hard hitting defender, as he helped Arsenal become invincible in 2004 to win the Premier League title.
He was the guaranteed starter in the backline as Arsenal were hoovering up trophies left, right, and centre.
He remains the example for new Arsenal defenders to follow.
6) David Seaman
One of the greatest England goalkeepers of all time, David Seaman had incredible success at Arsenal and, with that, came the fame of being the Gunners’ shot-stopper.
In total, he kept 218 clean sheets for the club, and won three league titles, four FA Cups, three Community Shields, and one League Cup in what was an incredibly successful spell.
It helps that Seaman was also England’s No.1 for a prolonged period, playing for his country at a variety of major tournaments, including the World Cup.
He’s consistently seen on British television screens, both as a pundit and as a personality in different reality shows.
5) Ashley Cole
Unlike several British actors, Ashley Cole managed to actually make it in America, which added to his already impressive fame after his trophy-filled Premier League career.
He is arguably the greatest left-back that English football has ever seen, with incredible spells at both Arsenal and Chelsea, where he won a combined total of three Premier League titles.
Cole was also a truly elite international left-back, playing for England at a variety of major tournaments, as a member of the Golden Generation.
After leaving for Chelsea, he left a gaping hole in the Arsenal squad.
4) Dennis Bergkamp
When we think of Dennis Bergkamp, we instantly think of THAT goal against Newcastle United. To this day, we haven’t seen that flick attempted with success again.
That goal alone has added increased fame to his name, as many associate Bergkamp with that piece of sheer genius. Simply put, he is one of the greatest players to ever play for Arsenal.
Indeed, he ended his career with 416 appearances for the Gunners, with 115 goals and 95 assists.
That’s a stunning record for a player who allied technical skill with a truly deadly eye for goal.
3) Patrick Vieira
One of the only players who dared to stand face to face with Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira’s rivalry with his Manchester United counterpart almost summed him up as a player.
He had that necessary fire in the earlier days of the Premier League, whilst also possessing that technical elegance.
Now the Crystal Palace manager, where he is having great success, Vieira is one of the most famous players associated with Arsenal.
Just look at his trophy cabinet: he won Serie A with AC Milan before moving to the Gunners, where he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. After leaving, he won Serie A four more times with Inter Milan, as well as an FA Cup with Manchester City.
Oh, and he also won the World Cup and the European Championship with France. As you do.
2) Ian Wright
Ian Wright Wright Wright may have been a late arrival to top flight football, but when he arrived, he did not waste his opportunity.
By the time he called it a day on his playing career, Wright had scored 113 Premier League goals to put him 22nd in the all time list. Now one of the best pundits around, Wright’s popularity is almost unrivalled.
At the highest level, he had real pace, technique and intensity, and was able to power the Gunners to unprecedented success.
Is it strange to say that he may well be underrated? Because he may well be underrated.
1) Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry has that certain aura about him that only so many footballers have; an aura where even those who don’t necessarily passionately follow football know about his greatness.
He is one of the best players in football history, and the greatest player in Arsenal’s history. And, with that, comes incredible popularity and fame.
Now a pundit covering the Premier League and the Champions League, Henry won pretty much everything, and his departure from Arsenal, to join Barcelona, remains one of the most devastating transfers the Gunners have ever sanctioned.
After all, how do you replace Thierry Henry?
So, there you have it, our list of Arsenal’s most famous players of all time. Do you agree with our list? Or do you feel as though we’ve missed some players out? Let us know in the comments!
Fame and popularity has been earned by the aforementioned players, and seems to have gone hand in hand with success. Arsenal’s current crop of players, some of which are already extremely popular amongst fans, will be hoping to win the same honours and earn similar fame in the North London club’s history.