Arsenal FC: Ranking the Top 10 Gunners Cult Heroes of All-Time
Cult Heroes: These players are not remembered for their skill on the pitch alone, they are those players that have endeared themselves to the fans with an act of theirs. It could be an act of defiance, it could be a goal they scored against their most heated rivals, he may be the most dedicated player having stayed with that player for his entire career. These are not just the only factors that make a great cult hero.
Arsenal like any great football club has had its own share of cult heroes that were adored and respected by the fans.
In this article I will be looking into the ten greatest cult heroes to have played for the Gunners, players who have left a legacy that will be remembered years after they hang up their boots.
If any of you feel I have left out any player do comment and tell me your suggestions.
10: Emmanuel Eboue
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The only player still on the list, it would have been hard to imagine Eboue on this list a couple of years back as the fans booed the Ivorian after he put in a shocking performance against Wigan Athletic. Eboue was substituted amidst a chorus of boos, and several were shocked by the reaction of the fans.
But ever since that Eboue has worked hard to win back the fans and is now a firm fan favorite. He worked hard to redeem himself and now he is extremely popular both in the dressing room and with the Arsenal fans.
It is tough to see a more hard-working and jubilant player. Whenever he is on the pitch, he is always present during a goal celebration and is clearly extremely popular in the dressing room. He is always cheerful and is a valuable asset for the team.
The fans now fully support him and constantly cheer his name and profess their love for the talented Ivorian. The fans have since apologized for the incident and now fully support the African. And let’s not forget the dance moves that accompany every goal, something that always brings a smile to my face.
He may not be the most talented man on the pitch, but he is clearly the most hard-working and the most cheerful, and the fans have come to realize that.
9: Eduardo
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Ever heard the fans of a team celebrating a goal scored by your opposition? Well the Arsenal fans did that after Eduardo scored for Shakhtar Donetsk against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.
Eduardo had been an Arsenal player from 2007 till the summer of 2010. He was brought in by Wenger to replace the departing Thierry Henry, and after a slow start, he seemed to be finding his feet in the English game when a horror tackle from Martin Taylor kept him out for over a year.
After returning to full fitness during the start of the 2009-2010 season, he struggled to adjust back into the pace and rigors of the Premier League.
He found it difficult and was transferred to the less physical Ukrainian league.
But during his stay he had endeared himself to the Arsenal fans who were always fully supportive of the Croatian. Even when he struggled with injuries, they always backed him.
After scoring his goal against Arsenal he refused to celebrate as a sign of respect for the Arsenal fans who had stood by him throughout. It was a great sight to see the Arsenal fans applaud the Croatian whose Arsenal career sadly never reached the great heights we expected it to reach.
8: Steve Morrow
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Steve Morrow scored the winner in the League Cup final against Sheffield Wednesday, and so what does Tony Adams decide to do? He throws Morrow off his shoulder accidentally, which broke his arm and led him to miss the rest of the season.
Morrow is famous for another reason. To date, he remains the only player to receive a medal before a Cup final after he got his League Cup winners medal before the final kicked off.
As a result of Tony Adam’s exuberant celebration and as a result of getting his medal before the final, Morrow remains an unique player.
7: Jens Lehmann
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There is no doubt that Jens Lehmann was a great keeper, but the German international also had a crazy side to him that made him do rash things that often jeopardized the team. Lehmann will go into the books as a player who became a cult hero as a result of his eccentric nature.
He was always prone to moments of madness were he would go charging out of his goal and well out of the box to tackle opposition players and kick the ball to safety. Sometimes these would lead to goals and mistakes from Lehmann.
Despite his eccentric side, it was obvious that Lehmann was a natural winner and was brilliant during the Invincibles and during Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final.
The fans loved every bit of the eccentric keeper who proved to be one of Arsenal’s best goalkeepers.
6:Charlie George
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Charlie George will forever be remembered for his rebellious streak that often got him into trouble with the club management but made him popular among the fans.
After scoring against Liverpool in the 1971 FA Cup to help Arsenal win the Double, Charlie George would go onto perform one of the most iconic celebrations ever performed by an Arsenal player as he fell to the ground with his arms outstretched above his head.
The latter stages of career started to show the rebellious streak in him as he was disciplined by the club on two separate occasions. The first one happened after he headbutted Kevin Keegan and then for flicking the V-sign at Derby County’s fans.
5: Kanu
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Kanu will forever be remembered as the man who inspired one of Arsenal’s greatest comebacks as he scored a hat-trick against Chelsea to overturn a 2-0 deficit and win the match 3-2.
Kanu became very popular among the Gooners for his two-fingered salute and was always welcomed with a chorus of cheers. Kanu was brought in to fill the void left by Nicolas Anelka. Kanu took some time to bring the Arsenal fans over to his side as they were less than impressed with his languid demeanor. But once he won them over, they remained faithful to the lanky Nigerian.
So effective was Kanu that the fans had a new cheer for him: “Chim chiminy, chim chiminy, chim-chim chiroo, who needs Anelka when we've got Kanu?” Every team he was on the pitch, the crowd would passionately chant Kanuuuu' (extending the syllable 'nu'). Some thought that the Gunners faithful were booing him when in reality it was a measure of their adulation for the striker.
Kanu’s popularity among the fans can be highlighted by the fact that the fans voted him as the 13th greatest Gunner of all time.
4: Perry Groves
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The first signing by then Arsenal manager George Graham, Perry Groves still remains one of the most popular Arsenal players. Groves to date is honored by the ‘We all live in a Perry Groves World’ chant that has him playing in all positions except one which is reserved for Liam Brady.
When he published his autobiography, We All Live In A Perry Groves World, the Arsenal fans came up with a campaign to ensure that the book sold more than Ashley Cole’s autobiography, which had been published at the same time, and it worked.
When challenged to wear a shirt of rival club Tottenham as a part of the BBC Sport Relief 'Shirt of Hurt' campaign, he refused to do so and continued to show his dedication to the club.
3: Ray Parlour
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Ray Parlour is that type of a cult hero who goes unnoticed for large spells but always gives his best for the club and never backs down. It was during the ending of his career that the fans came to realize his value and contributions to the club.
He is Arsenal’s unsung hero, and he became a fan favorite for his high energy performances. Parlour was a reliable player who remained dedicated to the club under both Arsene Wenger and George Graham.
Ray Parlour will go down as one of the Gunners’ most underrated but successful player.
2: John Jensen
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During his four year stay at Arsenal, John Jensen quickly became a cult hero and is still remembered as cult hero at Arsenal.
After seeing his wonder goal for Denmark against Germany in Euro 92, the Arsenal fans would urge him to ‘Shooooot’ whenever he got the ball. Near the penalty box, near the half line the fans would always urge him to shoot, but the goal continuously eluded him.
Playing as a defensive midfielder, he found it difficult to score as an Arsenal player, but the wishes of the fans were fulfilled when he finally scored against Queens Park Rangers. And it was worth the wait!
It is still possible to see T-shirts saying “I saw John Jensen score,” and Johnny Jensen will forever remain one of the most popular cult heroes Arsenal have witnessed and his search for a goal will remain one of the most followed cult causes of Arsenal history.
1: Tony Adams
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Arsenal’s very own captain fantastic. Tony Adams is everything Arsene Wenger and the fans would love to see in their defenders.
It was under his leadership that Arsenal were renowned for their brilliant defense. A great leader, Adams is the finest defender to have adorned the red and whites of Arsenal. He was a part of the legendary Arsenal defense that was impenetrable and rock solid at the back. It was during his time that the chant ‘One-nil to Arsenal.’
‘Mr. Arsenal’ was the ultimate one-club man and will remain one of the club’s most loyal players. Throughout his illustrious career the fans stuck by his side, and he repaid their faith with hard-working performances and always gave a 100 percent.
For much of his career, Adams battled alcoholism, and the fans and the manager stuck by his side and helped him come out of his addiction.
It’s hard to think of a more gutsy, committed and valiant defender to have donned the red and whites of Arsenal and for that he will forever remain in the hearts of the fans.
