Ranking Arsenal's 20 Most Beloved Players of All Time

Arsenal has seen some great players come through the club and many of them are beloved by all involved with the organization.

While some players like Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Adebayor have seen periods of success at the club immediately washed away by the circumstances surrounding their departures, many other players live long in the memories of the clubs fans and officials.

Here are Arsenal's 20 most beloved players of all time.

20. Charlie George

Charlie George is one the few local boys to make it big at the club, and that played a big part in how the Arsenal faithful received him.

George wasn't the most prolific player but his goal in the 1971 FA Cup final helped the club to its first double and put him in fans' hearts forever. He also played a part in the team's league title win during that same year, as well as the 1970 Fairs Cup victory.

George's status as a local hero makes him a worthy candidate for this list.

19. Martin Keown

Martin Keown's fiery character and tough no-nonsense display in the center of defense made him a favourite for many Arsenal fans.

Keown started his career at Arsenal in 1985 but was soon let go by new manager George Graham after just one year. He eventually returned to the club in 1993 and remained there until 2004.

He picked up three League championships and three FA Cups during his time with the club.

18. David Rocastle

David Rocastle started his career at Arsenal and played there from 1984 to 1992. He showcased lots of skill in the Arsenal midfield and was well-liked because of his approach to the game and his contributions on the pitch.

He was a major part of the team during the late '80s and early '90s and picked up two league titles for his efforts.

17. Sol Campbell

Sol Campbell is only so low on this list because he was a former Tottenham man. He did his fair share to make sure the fans of the club forgot about that, though.

Campbell spent five years at the club and helped Arsenal to two league titles, including the memorable "Invincibles" season, and three FA Cup trophies.

Campbell was a brick wall in defense for the Gunners and made sure the team had the defensive fortitude to go with its attacking flair.

16. Ray Parlour

Ray Parlour—"the Romford Pele"—was a loyal, hard-working and pretty solid player in his own right. He was one of the lesser talented players in the squad but still good enough to get plenty of playing time with the likes of Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira and others around him.

He played for the club between 1992-2004 and his ability to step up during important moments like the 2002 FA Cup final against Chelsea helped him stay forever in fans' memories.

Parlour picked up three league titles, three FA Cups and a European Cup Winners Cup during his time at the club.

15. Cliff Bastin

Cliff Bastin was a major member of Herbert Chapman's Arsenal sides during the 1930's and is currently the third highest goalscorer in the club's history.

He is one of the legends of the club and certainly made good use of his time at the club, having been a player from 1929 to 1946.

Bastin picked up five league titles and two FA Cups during his time at the club.

14. Pat Rice

Pat Rice is still around the club right now spending his time as Arsene Wenger's right-hand man. His hard work, modest behaviour and loyalty to the club make him deserving of being on this list.

He spent virtually his entire career with the club (1966-1984), with a four-year stint at Watford before returning to the coaching ranks in 1984.

Rice was a mainstay at the right-back position once Peter Storey was moved into midfield, and he even became club captain towards the end of his time with the side.

He picked up one league title and two FA Cups during his time with the club.

13. Nwankwo Kanu

Who can forget the ever-smiling, delightfully skillful Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu. Arsenal fans took a little time to warm up to the Nigerian, but once his skill became evident, and that smile won over others who were still not impressed, he became a fan favourite.

He picked up two league titles and two FA Cups during his time at the club and provided the fans with many memorable moments, with that hat-trick against Chelsea standing out. He did all this in five years at the club.

12. Marc Overmars

Marc Overmars only spent three years at Highbury but made quite an impression during that time. His speed and skill on the ball as well as his decent goal return for a winger—41 goals in 125 games—endeared him to the Arsenal fans.

He managed to win a double during his time at the club

11. David O'Leary

David O'Leary holds the Arsenal club record for appearances with 772. Such longevity and loyalty alone could have put him on this list, but his part in two league title campaigns and two FA Cup victories certainly helped.

O'Leary only played two seasons for another club, Leeds, and his strong, composed play in defense made him one of the club's—and the league's—most reliable defenders.

10. Lee Dixon

Lee Dixon is another long-serving, quality player from the Arsenal ranks. Dixon played for Arsenal from 1988-2002 and appeared 619 times for the club.

He won four league championships and three FA Cups with Arsenal, and his effectiveness from the right-back position, both offensively and defensively, made him a consistent starter at the position for years.

9. Freddie Ljungberg

Freddie Ljungberg gets into the top 10, and deservedly so. The former Calvin Klein model had tons of style on the pitch during his time with the club.

He got off to a fantastic start with the Arsenal faithful by scoring a goal within seconds of coming on in his debut against Manchester United. It was all uphill from there, and Ljungberg went on to play a major role in two league titles and four FA Cups during his nine years at the club.

8. Liam Brady

After making his name at Arsenal, Liam Brady went on to Italy to play for great teams such as Juventus and Inter.

Gooners everywhere are glad that their club was the Irishman's first stop, though. Brady oozed class from midfield and was the team's leading man during his seven years at the club.

Brady only picked up one FA Cup trophy, but had he not left there would certainly have been many more. Arsenal fans during his time were certainly sad at the loss of one of the club's greatest players.

7. Robert Pires

Robert Pires' contribution during his six years at Arsenal gets him the No. 7 spot on this list. He was a force for the club during his time and picked up two league titles and two FA Cups for his efforts.

Pires became a fan favourite for his attitude and his skill against all comers—but especially the team's rivals. He replaced Marc Overmars and almost made fans forget him.

That in itself is quite a feat.

6. Ian Wright

Ian Wright's goalscoring record at the club was astounding, and his showmanship, as well as his talent in front of goal, made him one of Arsenal's most beloved players.

Wright scored a hat-trick on his debut and never looked back, picking up a league title and two FA Cups along the way. At one point he held the club record for goals scored.

5. David Seaman

David Seaman is in a tough battle with Pat Jennings for top spot as Arsenal's greatest goalkeeper, and he edges it with his trophy haul.

The Englishman picked up three league titles, five FA Cups and a European Cup Winners Cup with the club, and his solidity and consistency in goal helped him play his part in winning those trophies.

He spent 13 years at the club and is definitely one of the fans' most beloved players.

4. Dennis Bergkamp

Dennis Bergkamp is one of the greatest Gunners and one of the most beloved. He graced Highbury with immense quality during his time with the team.

He spent 11 years at the club and picked up three league titles and three FA Cup trophies during that time.

His arrival in 1995 signaled the beginning of a new style of play for the club, one that was confirmed when Arsene Wenger came on board a year after. He provided fans with many moments of sumptuous football and is held in high regard by all associated with the club.

3. Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira and his fellow Frenchman above him came to the club as an unknown and left as a world-class player.

During that time his leadership, tough-tackling and strong, yet skilful midfield play made him a player Arsenal fans will never forget. In 406 appearances, he won three league titles and three FA Cups, and his rivalry with a certain Roy Keane made Gooners stand behind him even more.

2. Tony Adams

Mr. Arsenal is a legend and an icon for the club. He spent his entire career with Arsenal and was a cornerstone of the defense for years.

His longevity, leadership and defensive skills all made him a great player for Arsenal and an absolute favourite for the fans.

Adams picked up four league titles, three FA Cups and a European Cup winners Cup at Arsenal.

1. Thierry Henry

Was there going to be anyone else? Some Arsenal fans might change one or two players in this list and maybe even here at the top, but Thierry Henry will likely be No. 1 in the majority of lists.

Henry's goals, skills, his attitude and loyalty to the club are well remembered. His emotion upon receiving a statue outside the stadium showed just how much he loves the club, and the feeling is mutual for fans and employees alike.

He picked up two league titles and two FA Cups at the club, not to mention many individual accolades.

Many players will be compared to Henry for years to come.