Arsenal Player Profiles

1. Wojciech Szczesny, Goalkeeper

The Polish international enjoyed his best Arsenal campaign in 2013/14 keeping 16 clean sheets – a personal record – whilst being awarded the Premier League’s Golden Glove award alongside Chelsea’s Petr Cech. A product of Arsenal’s youth academy, the former Brentford loanee has come on leaps and bounds and is distinguished as being the joker of the Gunners’ dressing room....read more »

2. Mathieu Debuchy, Right-back

A summer signing from Newcastle United for £12 million, French international Mathieu Debuchy was the perfect replacement for Bacary Sagna in many Arsenal fans’ eyes in the summer of 2014. Appearing 43 times for the Magpies, Debuchy is a tough competitor who combines brute strength with marauding runs and excellent crossing abilities down the right flank. The former Lille man has won 25 international caps for Les Bleus (August 2014) and appeared ahead of Sagna in Didier...read more »

3. Kieran Gibbs, Left-back

Now possessing Ashley Cole’s shirt number of old, Kieran Gibbs has been in the Arsenal first team since 2007. The Londoner started his football education at Wimbledon as a youngster but has gone on to graduate through the Arsenal academy and become a regular for the Gunners. Many believe 2014/15 will prove the making of Gibbs with the 24-year-old requiring a huge season to dislodge the likes of Everton’s Leighton Baines and Manchester United’s big money...read more »

4. Per Mertesacker, Central Defender

Arsenal’s ‘BFG’ signed for the Gunners on August’s Deadline Day in 2011, as part of a late transfer flurry that also saw Mikel Arteta join the Gunners. The experienced German immediately became a crucial part of Arsenal’s side and developed a strong partnership with Laurent Koscielny in the heart of defence. When Thomas Vermaelen left for Barcelona, with Mikel Arteta taking the captain’s armband, Mertesacker was promoted to vice-captain. Although officially the understudy to Arteta, Mertesacker has...read more »

6. Laurent Koscielny, Central Defender

Snatched from relative obscurity in France by Arsene Wenger, Laurent Koscielny has fought back from a shaky start in English football to become one of the best defenders in the country. In his debut season, he was a regular in the first-team but suffered in the League Cup final defeat to Birmingham in 2011. Further struggles followed the next season, as he started in the 8-2 defeat to Manchester United and scored an own goal in...read more »

7. Tomas Rosicky, Attacking Midfielder

The second longest serving player within Arsenal’s squad, behind Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky has been a firm fan favourite during his ten years at Arsenal. A key player during the early years at the club, Rosicky’s injury problems first reared their ugly head in January 2008, which subsequently resulted in him missing the 2008/09 in it’s entirety. For the next few seasons though, Rosicky established himself as a key player for the next few seasons. Injury issues...read more »

8. Mikel Arteta, Defensive Midfielder

Signed from Everton in the summer of 2011, costing £10m, Arsenal’s club captain has been a crucial figure in a period of transition from the Gunners. An attacking player upon his arrival, Arteta developed into a deeper role in midfield after Alex Song’s departure to join Barcelona. That same year, 2013, Arteta became Arsenal’s vice captain behind Thomas Vermaelen and continued to be a vital player in the squad. In 2014, Arteta became Arsenal’s captain permanently after...read more »

10. Jack Wilshere, Left Central Midfielder

Born and raised in nearby Hertfordshire, Jack Wilshere is one of the biggest success stories from the Arsenal academy in recent years. Dimuntive, skilful and possessing an unmatched eye for a pass for his age, Wilshere now boasts the illustrious number 10 shirt at the Emirates Stadium, having wowed Arsenal fans and the watching world alike during his breakthrough to the Gunners’ first team back in 2008/09. Possessing a spiky edge to his game, Wilshere is incredibly...read more »

11. Mesut Ozil, Attacking Midfielder

Arsenal fans rejoiced when Arsene Wenger pulled off the £42.5 million capture of German international Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2013. Following a summer whereby dissent and tension amongst Arsenal fans was at an all-time high, not to mention a lack of new names arriving in North London, the Gunners pulled off the signing of Ozil which many heralded as a ‘game changer’ signing. Whilst even he would admit...read more »

12. Olivier Giroud, Striker

The towering French international striker was signed by Arsenal in the summer of 2012 and has proved an incredibly valuable member of the Arsenal team despite being labelled an ‘unfashionable’ striker in some quarters. Not Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp by any means, Olivier Giroud brings something different to the Arsenal party and uses his 6 ft 4 in frame to hold the ball up, provide a focal point in the Arsenal attack while registering classy...read more »

13. David Ospina, Goalkeeper

Signed from Nice in the summer of 2014, many Arsenal fans were delighted when Arsene Wenger swooped to sign Ospina who was recognised by everyone as a signing that would truly keep current number one Wojciech Szczesny on his toes. Appearing in all of Colombia’s games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Ospina will prove a more than able deputy for Szczesny with some even believing that he has the ability to oust our customary...read more »

14. Theo Walcott, Striker

The second longest serving player at the club, Theo Walcott has been at Arsenal since way back in 2006 where he was a timid youngster just starting out on his footballing journey. It only took 21 first team appearances at Southampton for Arsenal to fork out an initial £5 million (rising to an eventual £12 million) for Walcott’s services following some incredibly exciting performances for the Saints despite just being 16 when he made his debut...read more »

15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Attacking Midfielder

Like Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived at the Emirates Stadium via the famous Southampton academy that has produced stars such as Gareth Bale and Adam Lallana. The 21-year-old is another who received his chance with the Saints at a very young age (16-years-old) and joined the Gunners for £12 million (rising to £15 million) in August 2011. An incredibly versatile competitor, Oxlade-Chamberlain is able to feature as a left or right winger, a central attacking midfielder or even...read more »

16. Aaron Ramsey, Right Central Midfielder

His name will now be etched into Arsenal folklore having been the man to score the FA Cup Final winning goal of 2013/14 against Hull City to end nine barren years of hurt for everyone connected with Arsenal. The Welsh international has been through a lot in his 23 years, most notably a horrific broken leg suffered away at Stoke City in February 2010. That said, the Aaron Ramsey story is one that indeed looks like having...read more »

17. Alexis Sanchez, Striker

The big marquee signing to herald a new era following Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph of 2013/14, Alexis Sanchez was the transfer that got all Gunners fans out of their seats in July 2014. A truly world class talent, Alexis – as he likes to be known – was signed from Barcelona, playing alongside the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi and will no doubt bring creativity, dynamism and trickery to the Gunners’ frontline. Arsenal’s second...read more »

18. Nacho Monreal, Left-back

Signed in the January transfer window of 2013, Nacho Monreal was brought to the club for £8.3 million from Andalucian outfit Malaga. An established Spanish international, Monreal joined former Malaga team-mate Santi Cazorla at the Emirates Stadium and was immediately thrust into Arsene Wenger’s first team for the home fixture with Stoke City in which the Gunners prevailed 1-0. Fighting it out with Kieran Gibbs for the first choice starting spot at left back, Monreal registered his...read more »

19. Santi Cazorla, Attacking Midfielder

Small, dynamic and incredibly technical, Arsenal fans were delighted to add the diminutive Spaniard to their ranks in the summer of 2012. An incredibly graceful footballer, Cazorla blends dynamic Cruyff turns with a sound work ethic and has chipped in with 16 goals in 71 Premier League appearances for the Gunners to date (August 2014). Signed for 21 million euros, Santi carries a lot of the creative burden for Arsenal with the Spanish international often rushing to...read more »

20. Mathieu Flamini, Defensive Midfielder

Appearing for Arsenal in two spells, having re-signed for the Gunners in the summer of 2013, Mathieu Flamini is a close disciple of fellow Frenchman Arsène Wenger. The combative little defensive midfielder isn’t scared of anyone in the Premier League despite his stature and is strong in the tackle, often picking up yellow cards, but remaining determined for the entire 90 minutes. Originally brought to North London way back in 2004 from Marseille, Flamini had only appeared...read more »

21. Calum Chambers, Central Defender

Eyebrows were raised when Arsene Wenger shelled out a huge £16 million to bring relatively untried Calum Chambers to the Emirates Stadium from Southampton in the summer of 2014. However, Wenger proved he still boasts a great eye for talent with Chambers immediately reassuring the Gunners faithful that he justified his price tag, having put in some sturdy displays in both the Emirates Cup and FA Community Shield in his early Gunners career. Appearing just 22 times...read more »

22. Yaya Sanogo, Striker

Formerly a postman in his more modest years, French striker Yaya Sanogo was brought to the club from Auxerre in 2013 – the same club that had sold both Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna to the Gunners. A raw talent, 6 ft 4 in striker Sanogo still needs to polish his game but it’s evident that he boasts great enthusiasm, desire and work ethic. Arsene Wenger stuck true to his principles regarding handing first team opportunities to...read more »

23. Danny Welbeck, Striker

Surprisingly signed from old foes Manchester United in the final hour of transfer deadline day in August 2014, Danny Welbeck arrived at Arsenal following the Red Devils’ shock capture of Radamel Falcao from Monaco. Appearing 90 times for the Red Devils in the Premier League, Arsenal bought the experienced marksman as cover for Olivier Giroud who was injured and subjected to three months on the sidelines following an injury at Everton in August 2014. Although not a...read more »

26. Damian Martinez, Goalkeeper

Now Arsenal’s third choice goalkeeper, following the departure of Lukasz Fabianski to Swansea City in the summer of 2013, Argentine stopper Damian Martinez will be looking to follow the path of Wojciech Szczesny into the Arsenal first team. Having already achieved a first team start for the Gunners in their crazy 7-5 Capital One Cup victory over Reading in 2012/13, Martinez has gone on to prove a sturdier, more assured competitor during his time on loan...read more »

27. Serge Gnabry, Winger

A diamond in the rough, Serge Gnabry could have been a sprinter, had he not embodied a passion to make it as a professional footballer. The former Stuttgart youth product is a German youth international with Arsenal fans having already received a glimpse of what he can do with Gnabry scoring his first ever first team goal for the Gunners away at Swansea City in 2013/14. Gnabry combines raw pace with great ball control and looks a...read more »

28. Joel Campbell, Striker

Having finally made his Arsenal first team debut against Everton in August 2014, many had thought that Joel Campbell was never going to make it through into Arsene Wenger’s plans. Snapped up before anybody else could lay eyes on him back in 2011, the Costa Rican international was another whom few had heard about prior to Arsenal’s interest. Another raw talent, Campbell was thrust into Costa Rica’s senior international team at a young age following his exploits...read more »

34. Francis Coquelin, Defensive Midfielder

Another French defensive midfielder brought to the club from relative obscurity in 2008, Francis Coquelin is back in North London following a season-long loan spell in the Bundesliga with Freiburg in 2013/14. Expected to again be on the fringes of the Gunners first team in 2014/15, it could have all panned out so differently for Coquelin who has received shock starts against the likes of both of Arsenal’s London rivals in the form of Tottenham and...read more »

35. Gedion Zelalem, Attacking Midfielder

Perhaps the next big thing to follow Jack Wilshere out of the Arsenal academy, Berlin-born Gedion Zelalem has already racked up a first team appearance for the Gunners despite only being 17-years-old. Appearing against Coventry City on the route to Arsenal lifting the FA Cup trophy in 2013/14, Zelalem qualifies to play for the United States at international level, having emigrated there with his father back in 2005. The midfielder signed a contract extension with the club...read more »

38. Chuba Akpom, Striker

Chuba Akpom is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Arsenal’s academy in years and the striker is currently on the fringes of the first team squad. Most recently appearing off the bench in the Gunners’ Capital One Cup third round defeat to Southampton (September 2014), the 18-year-old has already been out on loan twice to Brentford and Coventry City in 2013/14, gaining valuable experience in the Football League. Akpom registered his first goal for...read more »

39. Hector Bellerin, Right-back

Hector Bellerin finally made his Arsenal breakthrough in the early part of 2014/15, thrown in at the deep end somewhat after making his competitive Arsenal debut against Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in matchday one of the Champions League. Bellerin was drafted into the squad after an ankle injury to new signing Mathieu Debuchy which kept him out until Christmas. Bellerin transferred to Arsenal from Barcelona in 2013 alongside Jon Toral and there are high hopes expected of...read more »

42. Isaac Hayden, Central Defender

A former youth product of Southend United, Arsenal picked up promising Isaac Hayden in 2013 with the imposing centre back or defensive midfielder making his competitive Gunners debut in the Capital One Cup third round fixture away to West Bromwich Albion in 2013/14. Standing at 6 ft 1 in, Hayden is a domineering presence who has been tipped to be a future Arsenal captain. Hayden also featured in Arsenal’s Capital One Cup third round loss to...read more »