Arsenal have fielded some of the best starting XI’s in the modern Premier League era. Since the 1992-1993 season, Arsenal have claimed the title three times, including their Invincibles season in 2003-2004 when the Gunners went undefeated for an entire season.
While Arsene Wenger’s side has not seen a title since then, they have finished in the top four every year since 1996 and claimed eight FA Cups and six Community Shields along the way.
Whether the Invincibles, or any of their more recent squads, Wenger has always fielded a side with world class talent in North London.
So here we count down the 30 best players to play for Arsenal in the Premier League era…
Sylvain Wiltord
Although he probably won’t be referred to as a legend, Wiltord always seemed to be at the right place at the right time, scoring important goals during the trophy winning years of the early 2000s.
Lauren
A consistent player during the Invincibles season, Lauren was the prefect replacement for Lee Dixon after he left.
Bacary Sagna
Sagna was a strong force in Arsenal’s back four, earning praise from Arsene Wenger as the best right back in the Premier League at the time.
Laurent Koscielny
The centre back has impressed since joining the Gunners in 2010, and is beginning to place his name among Arsenal’s elite.
Mesut Ozil
The midfield magician is arguably the most creative player in the Premier League at the moment as he’s been an assist machine since moving to North London in 2013.
Last November, the German international set a new Premier League record by tallying assists in seven straight matches.
Nicolas Anelka
While he has played for many other clubs, the journeyman enjoyed some of his most exciting football as a youngster at Arsenal, winning the PFA Player of the Year in the 1998-1999 season.
Nwankwo Kanu
Who could forget this fan favourite’s 17 minute hat trick at Stamford Bridge in 1999, or his flick-of-the-heel goal in the 6-1 win at Middlesborough?
Kolo Toure
Another one of the many Invincibles you’ll see on this list. Toure only missed one match during the 2003-2004 season.
Ray Parlour
Never a super star in a Arsenal shirt, Ray Parlour thrived under Arsene Wenger, although he may not always get the recognition he deserves.
Steve Bould
Steve Bould was a part of the “famous back four” in the late 80s and stayed with the club through the success during the 1990s.
Paul Merson
Gooners will remember when Paul Merson left football to enter therapy to help overcome his addictions. Not only did Merson return to football, but he did so with a run of 100 straight appearances.
Martin Keown
Martin Keown played a big role in the 1998 and 2002 doubles for the Gunners, and was a first team player until the end of the 2002-2003 season.
Emmanuel Petit
Partnered with a younger Patrick Viera in the midfield, the French duo added to the defensive dominance at Highbury at the time.
Nigel Winterburn
Winterburn was another vital part of the Arsenal’s historic back four during his 13 years in North London.
Marc Overmars
The speedy Overmars on the right wing was the engine in the counter attack during Wenger’s first double in 1998.
Cesc Fabregas
Joining Arsenal in 2003 at the age of 16, Cesc Fabregas would become one of Europe’s elite midfielders in his eight years as a Gunner. The Spaniard was named to the UEFA Team of the Year in 2006 and 2008.
Gilberto Silva
Gilberto was featured as one of the standout stars in the Invincibles season, playing in 32 of the 38 matches, and won two FA Cups during his six years at Arsenal.
Robin van Persie
Van Persie was labeled as the successor to Denis Bergkamp and lived up to his hype, becoming one of Arsenal’s most lethal strikers during his eight year tenure.
Jens Lehmann
Your classic German brick wall between the sticks, this Invincible featured in each of the 38 matches during Arsenal’s unbeaten season.
Fredrik Ljungberg
The Swede made waves in the UK when he tore up England in a Euro 2000 qualifier and went on to have an illustrious 10 year career at Arsenal.
Ashley Cole
Originally a forward, Ashley Cole grew into one of the most effective wing backs defensively and in the attack as well, and played a big role in Arsenal’s unbeaten season.
Lee Dixon
In 15 seasons at Highbury, Dixon was a complete full back playing under the styles of both George Graham and Arsene Wenger.
Sol Campbell
One of the few players to make the transition from White Hart Lane to Highbury, and Arsenal fans are happy he did. Campbell paired with Toure to anchor down the defence during the Invincibles campaign.
David Seaman
Seaman lived up to the hype of a big signing almost immediately, with 23 clean sheets in his first year at Highbury to start a wonderful 13 year career with Arsenal – winning 13 trophies in that time.
Robert Pires
The deceptive Robert Pires was a visionary genius on the pitch for Arsenal during the successes of the early 2000s.
Ian Wright
One of the biggest personalities in the Arsenal dressing room, this cult hero scored 135 goals and ended his Arsenal career with five trophies.
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp scored countless memorable creative wonder goals while winning seven trophies in 11 years at Highbury.
Patrick Vieira
The Frenchmen arrived at Highbury with Arsene Wenger in 1996 and the two would go on to change the club forever with two doubles and an unbeaten season thanks, in part, to Vieira’s wonderful handling and distribution in midfield.
Tony Adams
Adams spent 14 years as Arsenal’s captain, winning ten major trophies en route to becoming one of England’s most iconic defenders of all time.
Thierry Henry
Arsenal’s greatest scorer tops our list. With two league titles, four Golden Boots and five Player of the Year awards, it’s a wonder if anyone will dominate defenders in the Premier League like Henry did during his time at Arsenal.