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It came as an unexpected shock to the Premier League - and the footballing world - when Arsene Wenger announced his decision to leave Arsenal at the end of the 2017-18 season. Much of the Gunners' successes came during Le Professeur's two-decade reign at the helm of the club's affairs. The brilliant tactician and manager built his players into legendary stars.
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It comes as no surprise that every member on this list of Arsenal's all-time Premier League XI has played under the Frenchman. Whether you're an Arsenal fan or not, it's hard not to give Arsene Wenger his laurels for an astute scouting eye. He also had a tremendous penchant for youth recruitment and shrewdness in the transfer window.
With Wenger in control, the North London side went from strength to strength, enthralling both fans and opponents alike with their vibrant attacking appeal. Granted, the Frenchman found it challenging to replicate those successes in later years, but his tactical approach and style of play remained central to the evolution of English football.
Let's take a look at eleven of the very best footballers who have played under Arsene Wenger's stewardship, making up Arsenal's all-time Premier League XI.
GK: David Seaman
Known for more than his trademark ponytail, David Seaman is inarguably the best goalkeeper Arsenal have ever had. While Jens Lehmann might come in second place, it is the British goalie who takes pole position on this list.
Arriving at Highbury from QPR in 1990, the star goalkeeper went on to win two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three Community Shields, one League Cup, and a European Cup Winners' Cup. Consistent with the first team throughout his 13-year stint with the Gunners, Seaman made over 400 Premier League appearances for Arsenal. Very few goalkeepers can boast of such an illustrious career.
His mustache and ponytail marked his figure on the pitch, but it was his goalkeeping qualities that stood him apart from the other goalkeepers in his era. His most notable save came at the end of his career in an FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United. While Seaman did make a couple of drastic mistakes, he was generally regarded as a highly reliable man with a commanding presence between the sticks.
RB: Lauren
Starting his distinguished career in Spain, the former Mallorca star made the switch to English football at the turn of the century. A strong attacking force in the right-back position, Lauren would go on to make the first-team after Lee Dixon's exit from Arsenal.
An integral part of Wenger's title-winning side, Lauren picked up two FA Cups and three Premier League trophies during his six-year stint at the club. He was also an indispensable member of The Invincibles that went undefeated in the 2003-04 season.
After struggling with a knee injury in 2006, Lauren found his spot at Arsenal overtaken by Emmanuel Eboue and Justin Hoyte. Resultantly, the Cameroonian decided to leave for Portsmouth. However, he is still regarded as one of the Arsenal greats, and he remains a notable legend at the Emirates Stadium today.
CB: Sol Campbell
The only Gunner to score a goal in a Champions League final, Sol Campbell was one of the best centre-backs in Arsenal's history. The former Tottenham captain shocked the Premier League and English media when he transferred across North London to Highbury in 2001.
It's not exactly an easy thing to play for your closest rival, but Campbell went over to Arsenal and exceeded every expectation on the field. Having spent 12 years with Spurs, Campbell joined the Gunners as an experienced centre-back. He was physically strong and was a powerful threat from set-pieces, and fit right into Wenger's style of play.
Partnering with Kolo Toure in the backline, Campbell was instrumental in "The Invincibles" season where Arsenal finished their Premier League campaign without losing a single match. Despite leaving the club earlier, Campbell rejoined on a six-month stint in 2010 and helped the Gunners to 3rd position in the Premier League that season.
CB: Tony Adams
Former England captain Tony Adams, fondly known as "Mr. Arsenal," started his career as a 14-year-old in Highbury. By the time he retired, Adams was 35 years old, his celebrated career spanning 22 years in North London.
Adams was notably infamous in the press for his troubles as an alcoholic, even getting imprisoned because of it. However, it was Arsene Wenger who helped the commanding centre-back in his recovery and rehabilitation. Adams repaid Wenger's faith in him on the field, guiding Arsenal to two FA Cup and Premiership doubles.
Adams is currently the only player in English football history to have captained a title-winning team across three decades - talk about a legacy! Today, his statue stands outside the Emirates Stadium - a heartfelt token of respect for the years he gave to Arsenal's cause.
Legendary indeed.
LB: Ashley Cole
This might be a bitter pill to swallow for the Gooners, but Ashley Cole remains the best left-back to have ever played for Arsenal. With a propensity to play in the final third, the star left-back was often well out of position during opposing counter-attacks. However, Cole was not poor defensively. On the contrary, he was notable for his quality interceptions and well-timed goal-line clearances.
Taking over the coveted position from Sylvinho, Cole broke into the first-team at Highbury and established himself as a dependable, hard-working player. When "The Invincibles" season arrived, he was a key member of the team, making 32 appearances for Arsenal.
Overall, Ashley Cole made 156 appearances for the Gunners, picking up two Premier League titles and two FA Cups along the way.
Notably, his difficult transfer to Chelsea is perhaps the most potent stain on his remarkable career at Arsenal.
CM: Cesc Fabregas
Starting his football story at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Cesc Fabregas decided to move to Highbury in the hopes of breaking into the first team. However, moving in 2003, it would take him another three years to become a regular under Arsene Wenger.
Fabregas went on to make 303 appearances for the Gunners, alongside an incredible 142 direct goal contributions. He was appointed club captain at a mere 21 years of age, showing just how mature the current Monaco star had become.
Like Ashley Cole, Fabregas also decided to transfer to Chelsea after his short three-year stint at Camp Nou. He didn't win many club trophies at Arsenal, partly because the club was going through a major trophy drought through much of Fabregas' time there. However, he picked up a good number of individual trophies including the Arsenal Player of the Season twice in a row.
CM: Patrick Vieira
Some Gunners fans argue that the club is yet to replace Patrick Vieira with the perfect No. 4 player. While that remains up for debate, it demonstrates just how important Vieira's commanding presence was in Arsenal's midfield.
Defensively-minded but capable of recycling possession for his more creative teammates, Vieira was one of the toughest players on the field at Arsenal. His decision to move to Juventus hit the club hard as they struggled to replace the Frenchman with another strong holding midfielder.
Part of the Arsenal sides that won the double in 1998 and 2002, Patrick Vieira also captained the Gunners in their "Invincibles" season and scored the winning goal in his final game for the club. With 10 trophies in the nine years he spent at Highbury, Vieira is the best defensive midfielder Arsenal has ever seen.
RM: Mesut Ozil
Due to his outspoken nature and perhaps his heritage, Mesut Ozil has been a constant subject of controversy at Arsenal and otherwise. He left the Emirates Stadium earlier this year for Fernabache after being omitted from the club's 25-man Premier League squad at the start of the season.
However, it wasn't always this gloomy for the former German international. After a drastic trophy drought for the Gunners, Arsene Wenger splashed the cash to buy Ozil from Real Madrid, where the star had led the assist charts for three seasons straight. It turned out to be a brilliant transfer decision as Ozil became Arsenal's playmaker supreme.
Within a year, Arsenal's trophy drought had ended with an FA Cup win. The following seasons would see Arsenal pick up another two FA Cups, with Ozil leading the charge from the heart of the midfield.
While his time at the club dwindled to a dull end, Ozil rejuvenated the art of playmaking in his glory years at the Emirates Stadium. Most notably, the Fernabache star directly contributed to 81 goals in only 142 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.
LM: Robert Pires
Leaving France, where he had spent much of his career, Robert Pires moved to North London as Arsenal's replacement for Marc Overmars in 2000. It didn't take long for the winger to settle into life at Highbury, and soon enough, he started churning in goals and assists.
Spending an illustrious six years at Arsenal, Pires notably made a goal contribution every two games. He scored 62 goals and gave 41 assists in 198 Premier League appearances. Like many others on this list of Arsenal's all-time Premier League XI, Pires was also a key midfielder during "The Invincibles" season.
He may have spent only six years at the club, but he contributed massively to Arsenal's trophy cabinet. Pires won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups, as well as a runners-up Champions League medal. He was a high-achiever under Arsene Wenger, and he repaid the club by rejoining Arsenal as a coach.
ST: Thierry Henry
It isn't possible to name an all-star Arsenal squad without mentioning the man who brought it all for the Gunners: Thierry Henry. The Frenchman's move to Barcelona seemed to be the start of Arsenal's troubles, but before his exit, Henry was the most clinical striker in the club's history.
The tall Frenchman managed a shocking 249 direct goal contributions in only 2258 Premier League appearances! It doesn't come as a surprise that he was the key in the cog for "The Invincibles," and is currently Arsenal's record goalscorer.
While he picked up a good amount of team trophies, his individual awards were overflowing as well. He won four Golden Boots in just five years, was in the Premier League team of the year for six straight years, and was also named FWA Player of the Season three times in a row.
ST: Dennis Berkgamp
The "non-flying Dutchman" joined Arsenal just as he was entering the prime of his career at 26. Although expectations were high from Dennis Bergkamp, he exceeded them quickly and efficiently. Searing his mark as one of the most clinical and creative players at Highbury, Berkgamp contributed to 181 goals in 315 appearances.
Although he primarily played as a striker, the former Netherlands international enjoyed his game in a deep-lying role. He often played behind Thierry Henry and built the attack as the key playmaker.
Berkgamp went on to retire at Arsenal, having spent 11 years at the club in fine fashion. He picked up 10 trophies during his time at the club, and also gained accolades and numerous individual awards for his consistent performances on the field.
