Short answer: Arsenal’s most famous players include Thierry Henry (228 goals in 377 games, the club record), Tony Adams (669 games), Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright. This is an editorial selection of club greats, not a measured ranking, and all figures come from arsenal.com and premierleague.com.
One of the most supported football clubs in the world, Arsenal Football Club, known as the Gunners, has a long history filled with iconic players, from the 1930s at Highbury to the Invincibles and the Emirates Stadium era.
From dazzling wingers to dependable defenders and midfield maestros, these players left a lasting mark on the club. The sections below count down ten of them, with appearances, goals and honours taken from Arsenal’s own history pages.
What this list is: an editorial selection of well-known Arsenal greats, ordered by editorial judgement, not a measured ranking based on votes, search data or followers.
| Rank | Player | Appearances | Goals | Honours and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Cliff Bastin | 396 | 178 | Five league titles and two FA Cups (arsenal.com) |
| 9 | Charlie George | 179 | 49 | 1969/70 Fairs Cup, 1970/71 league and FA Cup Double (arsenal.com) |
| 8 | Robert Pires | 284 | 84 | 2001/02 Double, 2003/04 Invincibles (arsenal.com) |
| 7 | David Seaman | 564 | n/a | Eight major trophies (arsenal.com) |
| 6 | Liam Brady | 307 | 59 | 1979 FA Cup winner; PFA Player of the Year (arsenal.com) |
| 5 | Ian Wright | 288 | 185 | Second on the all-time list; Premier League 1997/98, 1993 domestic cup double, 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup (arsenal.com) |
| 4 | Patrick Vieira | 406 | 33 | Three Premier League titles; captain of the 2003/04 Invincibles (arsenal.com, premierleague.com) |
| 3 | Dennis Bergkamp | 423 | 120 | Three league titles and four FA Cups, as of February 2014 (arsenal.com) |
| 2 | Tony Adams | 669 | 48 | Ten major trophies, league titles in three decades (arsenal.com) |
| 1 | Thierry Henry | 377 | 228 | Record goalscorer; two league titles, three FA Cups (arsenal.com) |
10. Cliff Bastin
Appearances: 396
Goals: 178
Third on Arsenal’s all-time goalscoring list.
Five league titles and two FA Cups.
Cliff Bastin, a forward of the 1920s and 1930s, ranks among Arsenal’s greatest goalscorers. Arsenal’s goalscorers list credits him with 178 goals in 396 appearances, third on the club’s all-time list behind Thierry Henry and Ian Wright. The club’s own history pages record five league titles and a second FA Cup in 1936, after his first FA Cup win at the end of his debut season (1929/30).
9. Charlie George
Appearances: 179
Goals: 49
Scored the winner in the 1971 FA Cup final.
The league and FA Cup Double in 1970/71, plus the Fairs Cup in 1969/70.
Charlie George, the charismatic midfielder, printed his name in Arsenal history with his winning goal in the 1971 FA Cup final. Arsenal’s own features give him 49 goals in 179 appearances before his move to Derby County in the summer of 1975. The club’s player page lists the European Fairs Cup in his first season (1969/70) and the Double of 1970/71.
8. Robert Pires
Appearances: 284
Goals: 84
A key player in the 2003/04 ‘Invincibles’ campaign.
Part of the 2001/02 Double-winning side and scorer of the winning goal in the 2003 FA Cup final.
Robert Pires, the stylish French winger, played a central role in Arsenal’s success in the early 2000s. Arsenal’s Dream Team profile credits him with 84 goals in 284 appearances over six years, and the club’s history pages say his “footprints are all over” the Invincibles season of 2003/04. He won the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year award for the 2001/02 Double season, scored the decisive goal against Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup final, and left after the 2005/06 season, which ended with the Champions League final.
7. David Seaman
Appearances: 564
Eight major trophies with Arsenal.
David Seaman, an iconic figure between the posts, stands as one of Arsenal’s greatest goalkeepers. Arsenal’s records page lists him sixth on the club’s all-time appearance list with 564, and the club’s profile counts eight major trophies after his arrival in the summer of 1990, among them the 1990/91 league title, the Doubles of 1997/98 and 2001/02 and the 2003 FA Cup, his final match.
6. Liam Brady
Appearances: 307
Goals: 59
Liam Brady, the skilful midfielder, had exceptional technical ability that set him apart. His passing and vision made him the creative force in Arsenal’s midfield through the late 1970s.
Arsenal’s Dream Team profile gives Brady 59 goals in 307 appearances between 1973 and 1980. He was man of the match in the 1979 FA Cup final win over Manchester United, was named PFA Player of the Year, and left for Juventus at the end of 1979/80.
5. Ian Wright
Appearances: 288
Goals: 185
Second-highest goalscorer in Arsenal’s history.
One league title, the 1993 domestic cup double and the 1994 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Ian Wright left an indelible mark with remarkable goalscoring. Arsenal’s goalscorers list credits him with 185 goals in 288 appearances, and the club’s article on his seven years at Arsenal records the Golden Boot in his first season, the League Cup and FA Cup double in 1993, the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup and the Premier League title in 1997/98.
4. Patrick Vieira
Appearances: 406
Goals: 33
Captained the ‘Invincibles’ to an unbeaten league season.
Three Premier League titles and two domestic Doubles.
Patrick Vieira, a powerhouse in midfield, combined leadership, physicality and technical quality. Arsenal’s Dream Team profile gives him 406 appearances and 33 goals (the Premier League lists 31 league goals). He captained the unbeaten 2003/04 side, won three Premier League titles according to premierleague.com, and his decisive penalty in the 2005 FA Cup final shootout against Manchester United was his last act in an Arsenal shirt. He was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022.
3. Dennis Bergkamp
Appearances: 423
Goals: 120
Three league titles and four FA Cups.
Dennis Bergkamp, known for his skill and memorable goals, changed how Arsenal played. Arsenal’s statistics article credits him with 120 goals in 423 appearances across 11 seasons, plus three league titles, four FA Cups and three Charity Shields (figures as of February 2014, after his retirement).
2. Tony Adams
Appearances: 669
Goals: 48
Ten major trophies, including league titles in three different decades.
Tony Adams, an Arsenal legend, remains one of the club’s greatest defenders. Arsenal’s player page gives 669 appearances and 48 goals, all for Arsenal, after he signed as a schoolboy in 1980 and made his debut in 1983. The club lists ten major trophies and a captaincy of fourteen years; the records page ranks him second for appearances behind David O’Leary (722).
1. Thierry Henry
Appearances: 377
Goals: 228
Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Two league titles and three FA Cups.
Thierry Henry, widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history, tops the list. Arsenal’s goalscorers list gives him 228 goals in 377 appearances, the club record, including 175 in the Premier League. The club’s player page records two league titles, three FA Cups, four Golden Boots and five Player of the Year awards, and he was among the first two inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
One of the most supported English football clubs, Arsenal has a history filled with players who left an indelible mark on the club and its supporters worldwide. These ten Arsenal legends each contributed in their own way to the club’s history.
Who is your favourite Arsenal player of all time? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below.
Sources
- Arsenal.com: goalscorers list (goals and games)
- Arsenal.com: appearances and attendances records
- Arsenal.com: Thierry Henry
- Arsenal.com: Tony Adams
- Arsenal.com: the stats behind Dennis Bergkamp’s career
- Arsenal.com: Dream Team, Patrick Vieira
- Premier League: Patrick Vieira, Hall of Fame inductee
- Arsenal.com: Dream Team, Robert Pires
- Arsenal.com: Dream Team, Liam Brady
- Arsenal.com: Charlie George
- Arsenal.com: Cliff Bastin
- Arsenal.com: David Seaman
- Arsenal.com: Ian Wright
Frequently asked questions
Who is Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer?
Thierry Henry, with 228 goals in 377 appearances according to arsenal.com. Ian Wright is second with 185 goals and Cliff Bastin third with 178.
Who has made the most appearances for Arsenal?
David O’Leary, with 722 appearances, according to Arsenal’s records page. Tony Adams is second with 669 and George Armstrong third with 621.
Is this a ranking of the best Arsenal players ever?
No. It is an editorial selection of well-known Arsenal greats, not a measured ranking. The order is editorial judgement and is not based on votes, search data or follower counts.
Who captained Arsenal’s Invincibles?
Patrick Vieira captained the unbeaten 2003/04 Premier League team and lifted the trophy, according to the Premier League.
Where do the figures come from?
Appearances, goals and honours come from arsenal.com player and history pages and premierleague.com, last checked on 1 November 2026. Where an official page gave no figure, none is shown.
