Arsenal’s best five wingers of all-time
Football certainly moves with the times. Goal line technology, pink boots, number 10’s, it’s all a part of the ‘modern’ game. Once upon a time terminology such as ‘sweeper’ and ‘4-4-2’ were all the rage, just like the winger position, and Arsenal certainly had some good ones. Let’s have a look at who I perceive to be the top 5 wingers of our illustrious history.
A name which won’t be the most recognisable, but Clapton was the quintessential wing wizard of the 50’s. The right-winger had pace to burn, an eye for a pass and elegance that was unmatched. He and his brother Dennis are the most recent siblings to appear in the same Arsenal team.
He scored eight-seconds into his Arsenal debut against Manchester United. Legend status was his from that moment, and It will be hard to find a more loved player in the Wenger era than Freddie. An extremely dynamic footballer who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, scoring some of the most important goals in Arsenal’s history. The red haired Swede will be rightly remembered for his exploits in the FA Cup.
621 times did Geordie take the field for Arsenal, a record only bettered by David O’Leary and Tony Adams. Armstrong was consistently one of the standout performers for Arsenal during the 60’s and 70’s. His intelligence, energy and tenacity can be likened to that of one Alexis Sanchez, and is considered one of the best players to have never won an international cap.
How much fun would a race between Overmars, Walcott and Bellerin be? Blessed with devastating speed, the handsome Dutchman was an integral part of the 1998 Double-winning side in Arsene Wenger’s first full season at Arsenal. Overmars suffered a serious knee injury prior to his move to Highbury, which made his transfer to north London a little bit of a gamble, but his best years were seen in the red and white of Arsenal. Injuries followed him in his entire playing career, but his talent was never in question, and to this day is still seen as one of the premier wide men of 90’s football.
Regarded as the 6th best player in Arsenal’s history according to Arsenal.com. Pires was somewhat seen as the replacement for Marc Overmars, but the magical Frenchman was to write his own name on the hearts of Arsenal fans all over the world. A footballer with a unique running style, Pires blessed the Premier League with a style and grace that saw him win trophy after trophy with Arsenal. Pires scored 84-goals in his time at Arsenal (Many of them coming against Tottenham) and is rightly regarded as one of Arsenal’s best ever players, in any position.
