Arsenal's All-Time Premier League Squad Based on Shirt Numbers
The days of Arsenal lining with Nos. 1 to 11 are long gone. With the advent of season-long squad numbers, Premier League teams have fielded players wearing all sorts of unusual numbers. Chris Willock, who appeared twice in this season's EFL Cup, wears No. 68!
In this piece, we wondered how Arsenal's all-time Premier League roster would look if they were forced to select players who only wore Nos. 1 to 18. That's a matchday squad of 11 players and seven substitutes. It must be balancedāthere must be two goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and four strikers.
The most important thing is there must be a player for each number between one and 18. What's more, there can be no duplicates. For example, as Steve Bould and Thomas Vermaelen both wore No. 5, both cannot be selected for the squad.
1. David Seaman
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With current first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech wearing No. 33, David Seaman's main competition here comes from Jens Lehmann and Wojciech Szczesny. Although Lehmann's involvement in the unbeaten 2003/04Ā Premier League season makes him a strong candidate, Seaman is still the obvious pick.Ā
2. Lee Dixon
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No. 2 is traditionally a right-back's number, and Arsenal have had few right-backs more reliable than Lee Dixon. It helps that some of Arsenal's best alternative right-backsāsuch as Lauren, Bacary Sagna and Hector Bellerināhave not worn this number.
3. Ashley Cole
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Ashley Cole may not be a popular man among the Arsenal fans, but even the most passionate Gunners supporter would have to admit he was an outstanding full-back. Nigel Winterburn is a strong rival to Cole's position, but the latter's pace and skill make him the superior pick.
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4. Patrick Vieira
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It is impossible to conceive an all-time Arsenal squad without Patrick Vieira. The Gunners have been blessed with several club captains at No. 4, such as Cesc Fabregas and Per Mertesacker, but neither comes close to displacing Arsenal's iconic midfielder.
Vieira isn't just one of the first names for the squadāhe'd also be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
5. Martin Keown
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Arsenal have had some good No. 5s: Steve Bould and Kolo Toure both wore the shirt with considerable distinction. However, Martin Keown makes the squad in their place, not just because of his defensive abilities but also his remarkably competitive character. The contemporary Arsenal squad is occasionally accused of lacking in fight and leadershipāno team with Keown in it could face the same criticism.
6. Tony Adams
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Sorry, Laurent Koscielny, but Mr Arsenal, Tony Adams, is a must-pick. He was an organiser, a motivator and an outstanding defender. ManagerĀ Arsene Wenger would have difficult job choosing between Adams and Vieira for his team captain.
7. Robert Pires
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Former footballer of the year Robert Pires will wear the No. 7 shirt in this squad. His speed, skill and versatility would be a terrific asset to the team.Ā Naming Pires would seem to suggest that current No. 7 Alexis Sanchez is out in the cold. Unless, that is, we can find a loophole...
8. Ian Wright
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The battle for the No. 8 is particularly closely fought. While Samir Nasri's defection to Manchester CityĀ in 2011 probably rules him out of contention. His successor, Mikel Arteta, was a capable midfield player and fantastic character.Ā
Then there's the erratic and explosive talent of Freddie Ljungberg, whose goals were an invaluable part of the title triumphs in 2001/02 and 2003/04.Ā However, the fight is won by another charismatic goalscorer in Ian Wright. He's simply too good to leave out.
9. Nicolas Anelka
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Arsenal have had some disappointing No. 9s, with Julio Baptista, Park Chu-Young and Lukas Podolski all immediately springing to mind.Ā Nicolas Anelka is one of the few to wear the shirt and exceed expectations. After wearing No. 11 in his first season, he switched to No. 9 ahead of his brilliant 1997/98 campaign.Ā
10. Dennis Bergkamp
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Robin van Persie will have to accept missing out to another exceptional Dutchman in the form of Dennis Bergkamp.Ā Bizarrely, centre-half William Gallas also wore the No. 10 between 2006 and 2010. His performances certainly weren't good enough for him to rival Bergkamp for a place in this list.
11. Mesut Ozil
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This one came down to a straight fight between the speedy Dutchman Marc Overmars and German playmaker Mesut Ozil. We opted for Ozil.Ā With the likes of Pires and Anelka already in the squad, pace is not something we lack. Ozilās creative genius makes him more useful to this squad and opens up the mouthwatering prospect of him combining with the similarly perceptive Bergkamp.
12. Lauren
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Although Lauren played his best football for Arsenal as a right-back, he was a solid utility player capable of filling in at right wing or in central midfield. That makes him a great pick for this 18-man squad, as he provides cover for a variety of positions.
13. Alex Manninger
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Although Alexander Hleb wore this shirt between 2005 and 2008, it's generally worn by substitute goalkeepers. The likes of Szczesny, Stuart Taylor, David Ospina and Richard Wright have all had spells as Arsenal's No. 13.
We've picked Austrian stopper Alex Manninger, largely because of his vital role in Arsenal's 1997/98 double-winning campaign. Manninger may never have become Arsenal's No. 1, but he was an outstanding back-up 'keeper.
14. Thierry Henry
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It should be no surprise that the greatest goalscorer in Arsenal history makes the cut. Thierry Henry is a must-pick and would be a guaranteed starter even in this gifted squad.
15. Cesc Fabregas
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Although Cesc Fabregas is better known for his stint wearing No. 4, when he first broke through into Arsenal's senior side, he was wearing the No. 15 shirt that had been left vacant by Ray Parlour's move to MiddlesbroughĀ in 2004.Ā Parlour was another strong candidate for inclusion, but Fabregas' sheer talent won out over the Englishman's tireless work rate.
16. Aaron Ramsey
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The No. 16 shirt has been worn by some gifted left-backs;Ā Sylvinho and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who also both enjoyed successful spells with Barcelona, both wore the jersey.Ā However, it's Aaron Ramsey who takes this spot in the squad. His goals from midfield would help make up forĀ Ljungberg's absence at No. 8. Coincidentally, that is the number Ramsey started wearing this season.
17. Alexis Sanchez
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We managed to sneak Sanchez in after all. Although he wears No. 7 for Arsenal, when he first joined the Gunners, he had to take No. 17. It was only when Tomas RosickyĀ left last summer that he switched to No. 7.
18. Nacho Monreal
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Arsenal have had some disappointing No. 18s. The likes of Pascal Cygan, Mikael Silvestre and Sebastien SquillaciĀ all wore that number, leading Arsenal fans to wonder whether it might have been cursed.Ā Nacho Monreal has been a welcome change, largely consistent and reliable. He would provide excellent competition and cover for Ashley Cole at left-back.
Summing Up
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This selection leaves us with a strong squad. If Arsenal lined up in the 4-4-2 system that saw Wenger win his league titles, they could protect Seaman with a no-nonsense back four of Lauren, Keown, Adams and Cole. In midfield, Fabregas and Vieira would be flanked by the pace and trickery of Pires and Sanchez. Up top, Wenger could deploy Bergkamp behind the explosive speed of Henry.
It wouldn't be a bad bench, either, with Manninger, Dixon and Monreal offering defensive cover. Ozil and Ramsey could provide fresh legs in midfield, with Wright and Anelka as alternative attacking options.
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