Arsenal FC: Top 10 Arsenal Defenders of All Time

Arsenal has seen huge success throughout their years in England's Premier League. Much of that success has been tied to their steady flow of top-class defenders.

Though the club was originally founded in 1886, they would not see their finest talents until many years later. Through the evolution of the game and an influx of top-flight winning, many of Arsenal's greatest players have been identified and celebrated.

Featured in this list are players ranging from the 1960s up to the mid-2000s. No current Gunners appear.

Rankings are based on both on-field talent and the successes of Arsenal during their time there.

No. 10: Pat Rice

Pat Rice would be much higher on this list if things had gone just a bit differently.

Playing from 1967-80, Rice amassed 528 appearances for the Gunners and put away 13 goals. His hardware bag is limited, however, and that is why he finds himself at No. 10.

In 1970-71, his debut season in the first team, Arsenal won the League Championship and FA Cup double. His next cup victory would be another FA Cup, but wouldn't be until 1979.

In between those victories, the player best known for his hard work and modesty played in a variety of finals, but often came out on the wrong end.

Under his captaincy, Arsenal appeared in three consecutive FA Cup finals from 1978-80, winning only in '79. The Gunners also lost in the 1980 European Cup Winners' Cup final to Valencia in a painful penalty shootout.

He walked away from the club in 1980, but soon returned in a coaching role. He now serves as assistant coach to current manager Arsene Wenger.

No. 9: Ashley Cole

Known perhaps as much for his attacking runs as for his defensive abilities, Ashley Cole carved out a brilliant if short career with Arsenal.

His eight years with the Gunners featured plenty of winning, including perhaps the most memorable season in Premier League history: "The Invincibles."

The 2003-04 Gunners recorded an unbeaten streak of 49 matches, including the entire '03-'04 campaign. That squad is the only one to accomplish such a feat in top-flight English football.

Despite being a part of the "Invincibles," Cole was only the third best defender on that squad, and so finds himself as the ninth-ranked defender on this list. His list of trophies includes two league titles ('02, '04) and three FA Cup final victories ('02, '03, '05).

No. 8: Frank McLintock

Frank McLintock's career may have been even more reverently remembered than it is had he began his career where he ended up.

Originally a wingback for Arsenal, McLintock wanted to do a bit of everything for the club. He meandered through midfield and up into attack far too often, looking to do damage in any way he could. His oft-misguided wanderings placed a great burden on his fellow defenders, and led to far too many goals for the opposition.

During the 1969-70 season, the team was ravaged by injuries, forcing a reluctant McLintock into becoming a center half for the squad. It was in this new role that he thrived, leading Arsenal to their first silverware in his career.

In 1970, he oversaw the Gunners' European Fairs Cup title over Anderlecht. In '71, he led the team to a League Championship and FA Cup double. His goal in extra time of the FA Cup final equalized the Gunners with Liverpool, allowing them to eventually win the match.

His efforts in 1971 earned him the honor of being named the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year. He was awarded an MBE the following year.

No. 7: Nigel Winterburn

For as long as Arsenal have been around, they have certainly been blessed with a wealth of quality left backs.

Nigel Winterburn is arguably the best of them.

Serving in the first team through the late 1980s and all through the '90s, Winterborn supplied Arsenal with a variety of talents that still resonate today.

Though primarily a defensive specialist, it was not unheard of for Winterburn to race into attack down the left flank. He scored 12 goals in his 584 appearances as a Gunner, including a powerful drive from distance against Chelsea.

The brilliant tactician and defensive stalwart left Highbury with countless memories and a trophy case filled with hardware. He thrice won the League Championship ('89, '91, '98), twice won the FA Cup ('93, '98), and added a League Cup ('93) and a European Cup Winners' Cup ('94).

No. 6: Martin Keown

Martin Keown's physical abilities set him apart from many other members of this list.

His considerable pace and raw tackling abilities made him a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. While many of these players were smart, tactical leaders, few could match Keown's indomitable presence in defense.

Between his two stints for Arsenal, Keown played in 449 matches, spanning almost 20 years. His trophy bag reflected his stay, as he walked away with three League Championships ('98, '02, '04) and three FA Cups ('98, '02, '03).

No. 5: Lee Dixon

Right back is arguably the most difficult position to produce an impact from. You wouldn't have known it by watching Lee Dixon, though.

Fourth all-time in appearances for Arsenal (619), Dixon was a player that could impact the game in many ways.

His sense of positioning enabled him to flow up and down the pitch without overexposing his right flank. He often supplied brilliant, slashing crosses to the Arsenal front men. His skill on the ball was class for anyone, especially a defender.

He had deft touch with both feet, allowing him to corral clearances and interceptions and keep the attack rolling without interruption.

He also had a knack for scoring, netting 28 goals in his illustrious career for Arsenal.

His trophy haul with Arsenal is nearly unrivaled by fellow Gunners. Four League Championships ('89,'91, '98, '02), three FA Cups ('93, '98, '02) and a European Cup Winners' Cup ('94).

Lee Dixon is without a doubt the greatest right back in Arsenal's history.

No. 4: Sol Campbell

Sol Campbell was one of the most athletically gifted defenders to ever don the Arsenal uniform.

Despite a relatively short stay with Arsenal, Campbell make an undeniable impact on a team with a long and glory-filled history.

In his five years with the Gunners, Campbell made 197 appearances and scored 11 goals. He won two League Championships ('02, '04) and one FA Cup ('02).

What places him so high on this list is his role in the greatest season in Arsenal history. Campbell was the backbone of the 2003-04 "Invincibles" squad that went undefeated in league play. He made 49 appearances that season, partnering with a young Kolo Toure for the bulk of the campaign.

The Ivorian couldn't have learned from a much better center-half.

Campbell combined quickness with a mammoth frame perfectly crafted for the hardships of the modern Premier League. His physicality both in his tackles and in the air were unmatched during his time with Arsenal.

Only his lack of time spent with the Gunners places him at No. 4.

No. 3: Patrick Vieira

While not a true defender, Patrick Vieira is one of the all-time greatest Arsenal players, and deserves a spot on this list.

He made his mark as a defensive midfielder, and his mark was an indelible one. From 1996-2005, Vieira and his 6'4" frame were physically dominant in the Premier League. His defensive prowess rivaled any center-half in the league, while his passing and vision were among the best England's top-flight had to offer.

He was a beast.

Vieira made 406 appearances for Arsenal, racking up 33 goals and six trophies. Three League Championships ('98, '02, '04) and three FA Cups ('98, '02, '05) were won by the Gunners during his time there, and he was a pivotal part of all of them.

His final act as a Gunner was the decisive penalty kick in the 2005 FA Cup final win over Manchester United.

No fan of Arsenal will soon forget Vieira's career in London.

No. 2: David O'Leary

David O'Leary was never the most physically imposing player on this list.

Nor the smartest.

Nor the best leader.

Arsenal didn't win more during his years than any other period.

He wasn't a member of the "Invincibles."

Despite these truths, David O'Leary earned this spot through dedication, flexibility and loyalty. He played 722 matches for the Gunners, a club record.

When he made his debut for Arsenal, they were an aging side that was struggling to stay out of the relegation zone. His entry into the squad was a prominent reason they were able to stay afloat.

And for the nearly 20 years he played for Arsenal after that, he was the model of consistency. Nobody worked harder for him, or had to make as many sacrifices.

When he got older, and started suffering injuries, Arsenal brought in youth to replace him. He fought through his injuries and returned, only to find his spot taken.

But through his persistence, he was able to remain a regular in the squad at right back. The club's attempts to find his replacement only reinvigorated him. He played for the team well into his 30s, and did everything the club asked of him.

He did win six trophies with the club, including two League Championships ('89, '91), two FA Cups ('79, '93) and two League Cups ('87, '93).

David O'Leary is one of Arsenal's all-timers.

No. 1: Tony Adams

When your nickname is "Mr. Arsenal," you know the people like you.

Tony Adams was everything you want in a player, a leader and an all-time great.

He was spirited both on and off the pitch. He was physically gifted and ultra-motivated. He was a hard worker and never became satisfied, appearing in 669 matches over nearly a 20-year stretch.

He was success personified.

And through it all, he remained hungry for more.

Adams won more trophies than any other man on this list, and was at the heart of each of them. He was the rock of manager George Graham's defense, who called him "my colossus," and the do-it-all man at the back for Arsene Wenger, who later described him as a "professor of defense."

His abilities went beyond defense, as well. He scored 48 goals in his career with Arsenal. Often bursting forward into attack, Adams helped along many an Arsenal goal.

His abilities, focus, and leadership can hardly be overstated, and he was named the third best player in Arsenal history in a poll of Arsenal fans by Arsenal's website.

He captained one of the greatest eras of Arsenal football, and his impact was and is immeasurable.

His time at Highbury saw four League Championships ('89, '91, '98, '02), three FA Cups ('93, '98, '02), two League Cups ('87, '93) and a European Cup Winners' Cup ('94).

It will be a long time before Arsenal sees another player of Tony Adams caliber.