Best Arsenal Goalkeepers

It isnt easy to be a goalkeeper. The poor guy is saddled with the task of keeping the opposition out and is often blamed when things go south for his team. Being in goal for Arsenal, one of the most reputed clubs in England, is a herculean task but there have been a few men who have done an excellent job between the sticks and wrote their names in the clubs history books in the process. Lets take a look at the best Arsenal goalkeepers ever.

#5 John Lukic

Replacing a goalkeeper like Pat Jennings wasnt going to be an easy task but John Lukic did a damn good job as his replacement as was the clubs undisputed number 1 for seven years and quickly became a fan favourite. The Serbian shot stopper performed consistently throughout his time at Highbury and won one First Division title and a Football League Cup before moving back to his former club Leeds United in 1990 where he won another First Division title, becoming one of the few professional footballers to achieve that feat.

#4 Jens Lehmann

Like Lukic, Lehmann had a difficult task of replacing a great goalkeeper (David Seaman) but the German succeeded in making his own name at the club. Besides making outrageous saves Lehmann was also known for his crazy antics one example being him relieving himself behind his goal during a match in full public view. Lehmann was a part of Arsenals iconic Invincibles side and kept 10 sheets in the 2005-2006 Champions League which helped him team reach the final which they lost to Barcelona. Nevertheless Lehmann was named as the goalkeeper of the tournament for his heroics. Lehmann left Arsenal for Stuttgart in 2008 after winning 1 Premier League, 1 FA Cup and 1 Community Shield with the Gunners but briefly returned to the team back in 2011.

#3 Bob Wilson

The Scot is one of Arsenals most underrated players which is really wrong as he dedicated 40 years of his life to the club. Wilson joined the London club in 1963 and went on to serve as a player for eleven years during which he won 1 First Division title, 1 FA Cup and 1 Inter Cities Fairs Cup. Wilson gained fame for diving at his opponents feet to dispossess them of the ball and picked up a number of knocks due to this technique. After calling time on his career as a player Wilson was appointed as the clubs goalkeeping coach, a role which he served for 28 years, and worked with a number of the clubs iconic goalkeepers like Pat Jennings, John Lukic and David Seaman.

#2 Pat Jennings

The Irishman spent the best part of his career with Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur but is still considered a legend at the Emirates. Jennings was known to use other parts of his body to stop the ball – a goalkeeping skill that was virtually unknown at that time and also gained fame for his one handed saves. The shot stopper was known for keeping his composure in the toughest of situations which helped his team concede fewer goals. Jennings won one FA Cup with Arsenal before rejoining Tottenham in 1985, retiring a year later.

#1 David Seaman

No one other than the legendary Englishman could occupy the top spot on this list. Seaman was a part of Arsenal for thirteen long years during which he won 3 First Division/Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, 4 Community Shields, 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, 1 UEFA Cup and 1 UEFA Super Cup. Seaman made saves that he had absolutely no right to make and was one of the best penalty savers in the world. The Rotherham born stopper was also an integral part of the national set up and made 75 appearances for the Three Lions making him the second most capped goalkeeper behind Peter Shilton. Seaman will undoubtedly be remembered by the Arsenal faithful for years to come.