Defence
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When Wenger arrived at Highbury, the French manager changed everything at the club from player diets to introducing sports science to improve player fitness. What he did not change was the back-line who he said were “university graduates in the art of defending”.
Tony Adams was a recovering alcoholic at the time and under Wenger, Adams would extend his career when it looked like he was headed for early retirement. The captain turned his career around and led the Gunners to two inspiring doubles. Adams would also have the unique achievement of winning a league title in three separate decades.
More: The 10 Most Influential Captains of the modern era – Tony Adams
I consider him (Tony Adams) to be a doctor of defence. He is simply outstanding. – Wenger
While there have been a number of quality defenders to have played under Wenger, Laurent Koscielny is one of the most underrated. Sol Campbell was an all-important rock at the back but Koscielny was a relative diamond in the rough that Wenger unearthed when he was making a name for himself for newly-promoted side Lorient in Ligue 1.
The French defender is now one of the best centre-backs in the league and has made a name for himself, even making the France squad and taking them all the way to the final of Euro 2016. Now 31, Koscielny is a still force to reckon with at the back, strong in the tackle, quick on his feet, powerful in the air and has a knack for scoring crucial goals that bring the Gunners back into the game.
At right-back is another French star who arrived from Auxerre. Bacary Sagna is yet another player who is overlooked but was a true and faithful servant who was the pinnacle of professionalism. Displacing Emmanuel Eboue on the right, his pace and physicality were his biggest strengths – on both attack and defence.
Left wingers found it difficult to get past him and he only attacked when needed, allowing Arsenal to stretch the defence before he whipped in his superb crosses. He eventually left the club with Wenger’s blessing after helping the Gunners end a trophy drought with the FA Cup final win in 2014.
Ashley Cole may not be fondly remembered by Arsenal fans but he still remains one of the best left-backs to have played for Arsenal. An Invincible who has since cut ties with the club after an acrimonious move to Chelsea, he was still one of the finest players to come out of the Arsenal academy.
A childhood fan of the club, Cole has won two EPL titles and three FA Cups with Wenger. But the fiasco of Chelsea ‘tapping up’ the player soon burned bridges and Arsenal lost an England international who found success with their London neighbours.
