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The Arsenal faithful often revisit their past with great pride and, given the exploits that lie buried, it must make for an experience worth relishing. The good old days of Highbury are nothing short of a fairytale, often remembered with great joy.
Arsenal had some truly revolutionary managers at the helm who steered the club to successful titles. The Gunners were blessed with an equally killer bunch of troops that led the fight with their on-field displays.
Arsenal have a history of recruiting lesser known talents from foreign territory
When Arsene Wenger arrived, the philosophy at the club changed. Arsenal were now investing in talented youngsters who hadn't proven themselves on the big stage, but were full of potential.
It is not new to see clubs being made to overpay by a decent margin for the signature of native players. English players in the Premier League are often valued much higher than their performances suggest simply due to their nationality. Arsenal have looked to various other leagues in Europe to spot top talent and bring them home.
Although some of these signings have failed to work out, some of Arsenal's greatest ever players have been signed from abroad. Without much wait, let's unveil the best foreign Arsenal XI of all time.
GK: Jens Lehmann
It is often said that the best goalkeepers are mentalists by nature. There's a natural instinct kicking in regularly from within them. Although this may be just a stereotype, Jens Lehmann surely had these qualities in the right amount.
The German goalkeeper had to fill in the boots vacated by David Seaman and he fit in like they were always meant for him. An animated character, Lehmann ensured his team felt the heat and the responsibility to keep a clean sheet from behind.
He was often spotted shouting at the backline, keeping them on their toes and aware of the opposition's movement. The German was extremely passionate and was never afraid of putting his body in front of a flying knee or a venomous strike. The Arsenal goalie was an authoritative figure and commanded his penalty box like a boss.
In his first season he won the Premier League and became part of the famous Invincibles. However, the Arsenal legend's career is sometimes remembered with a sour taste for his red card in the 2006 Champions League final after a challenge on Samuel Eto'o.
LB: Nacho Monreal
It definitely isn't the most glorious name to start with, given the pedigree of those that follow, but it that was Nacho Monreal for you. The Spaniard arrived at Arsenal in a deadline day deal worth €10m in January 2013. Though he started as a back-up for Kieran Gibbs, Monreal soon became a regular starter.
For most of his Arsenal career, that did not change. There was nothing spectacular about him, but there were no loopholes either. He was a top professional who could be counted on in both good and bad times by the manager. The left-back built a reputation for being consistent and solid.
During his six-and-a-half year stay at the Emirates, Monreal won three FA Cups and contributed 10 goals and 20 assists. He was also quick to spot an opportunity to race down the track and get involved with the final third. But that never came at the cost of fragile defending.
CB: Kolo Toure
If there was one man who did everything on his trial day to NOT get a contract from Arsenal, it would have to be Kolo Toure. The ever-so likable defender was told not to tackle anybody during the training session on his audition day. What did he do then, you ask?
He went ahead and tackled Arsenal's two most important players, Thierry Henry and Denis Bergkamp! But he wasn't done there. He put his potential boss, Arsene Wenger, on the medical table with a tackle too! The Frenchman went ahead and signed him the next day anyway.
Toure was a complete package of enthusiasm, excitement, hunger and desire and none of that dipped in the 327 appearances he made for Arsenal. The Ivorian was an ever-present figure at the heart of defense for the Invincible squad during the 2003/04 season.
His pace was remarkable and he was not afraid to get in the way of shots or have a tussle with the strongest of strikers. He was crucial to the Gunners' Champions League campaign of 2005/06 as they kept 10 consecutive clean sheets.
He scored the all-important goal against Villarreal in the semi-final that sent them through to the final. The scorer of the last goal at Highbury was simply brilliant both as a footballer and as a human being.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
It might be a controversial pick for some given that many branded Laurent Koscielny a "good riddance" when he left the club. The defender went on strike in 2019, refusing to join the pre-season tour and leaving Arsenal for Bordeux under heated circumstances.
Ditch the recency bias and the little grudge held against Koscielny, and it is clear to see that he was one of the most important Arsenal players of the last decade. The former France international is the highest scoring Gunners defender of all time with his 27 goals in 353 appearances.
In what was a tumultuous period when Arsenal continued to feature a choatic rearguard, Koscielny brought in stability and calm. His leadership and self-awareness made him a worthy holder of the captain's armband.
The 36-year old used to back himself while committing tackles and aerial duels when he wore the Arsenal outfit and had spells when he was absolutely dominant.
RB: Bacary Sagna
There are many players who left Arsenal for other big clubs. There was always something dramatic when a Gunners player moved to Chelsea or a Manchester club. Remember a certain Robin van Persie and Emmaneul Adebayor?
Well, Bacary Sagna resides on the other extreme of that spectrum, invoking the least bitter feelings from the Arsenal faithful. It was going to be difficult to wear the No.3 shirt vacated by Ashley Cole, but the Frenchman rose to the challenge. During his seven-year stay at Arsenal, the right-back made 284 appearances for the club.
He was always very committed in both his offensive and defensive actions and a normal day for Sagna involved relentless running up and down the touchline. Even under the most intense pressure, the right-back never lost possession of the ball easily or due to recklessness.
The France international's aerial prowess was not talked about enough but he was as solid as anyone on the field and fiercely competitive. Sagna made the PFA team of the year in 2008 and 2010 in his Arsenal days.
DM: Gilberto Silva
One of the most underrated Arsenal players of all-time, it would be difficult to find a more rock-solid defensive midfielder in the club's history than Gilberto Silva. The Brazilian did not come to notice much because despite the position he played in. There was no unnecessary aggression or flare.
He did exactly what he was required to do and maintained his poise and calm. It was due to Silva's incredible performance for Brazil at the 2002 World Cup that convinced Arsene Wenger to sign the midfield ace. He sat deep except for the occasional driving run-ins, sniffed out the danger and neutralized it.
Silva was as important as anyone in that Invincible squad that boasted a remarkable defense having conceded only 26 goals all season long. He also won two FA Cups in his time with the Gunners. Winning the ball with his physical strength and then moving it on without fretting was his trademark.
CM: Patrick Vieira
That the Gunners have since struggled to find the rightful heir to Patrick Vieira is enough to show just how important his presence was at the club. The first foreign player to wear the captain's armband, the Frenchman carved his own legacy at the club.
The intensity and aggression Vieira brought into Arsenal's DNA was crucial to their winning mentality as they conquered it all in England.
The colossal midfielder was the epitome of combativeness on the field. Vieira was at his most dangerous when given the license to roam around freely. He would hold the ball under immense pressure, break free and reach the final-third before anyone knew it.
The World Cup winner won three Premier League titles with Arsenal and four FA Cups as he went on to make 397 appearances for the Gunners.
CM: Cesc Fabregas
Another popular Gunners player who left for greener pastures was Arsene Wenger's golden boy, Cesc Fabregas. At the time of his emergence, the larger opinion was that the Spaniard was the best thing to happen to the Gunners. In 2021, there could be a serious debate over those claims.
However, there is no disputing the fact that he was one of the most technically gifted and elegant players who ever represented Arsenal. Wenger lured him away from Barcelona's La Masia academy in 2003 and was sure he had found a gem.
Fabregas became a fan favorite and even went on to captain the side aged just 21, making him the second youngest skipper in the club's history. The skilled midfielder was silky with the ball at his feet and showed a great sense of dynamism. The Spaniard could control the midfield all by himself.
Unfortunately, he only won two trophies at Arsenal, the FA Cup and the Community Shield. Fabregas had the intelligence to vary the tempo of the game. In many ways, he was the reason why Arsenal started playing the aesthetically pleasing passing game they are known for.
LW: Thierry Henry
The King of Highbury, the greatest player in Arsenal's history, is also their best foreign import. Thierry Henry arrived from Juventus in 1999 for a fee of €16m with hardly half the reputation he built in his time with the Gunners.
Representing Arsenal for eight years, he buried the ball in the back of the net for a grand total of 228 times. A complete forward, the Frenchman was known for distracting defenders and playing the perfect disguise to help his teammates finish. He even laid out 127 assists while playing as a centre-forward and on the wings.
Henry is arguably the greatest player to never win the Ballon d'Or, having made the podium twice in 2003 and 2006. But there is no shortage of silverware in his trophy cabinet. France's top scorer boasts a World Cup, two Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, and one apiece of the Champions League and Euro Championship.
The lethal forward was famed for his blistering pace and impeccable finishing ability. He won the Premier League Golden Boat award a record four times.
Special Mention: Robert Pires
ST/False 9: Dennis Bergkamp
The Gunners celebrated three Premier League triumphs and four FA Cup glories between Dennis Bergkamp's arrival and exit at Arsenal. A period of precisely 11 years. He arrived as the club's record-signing worth £7.5m and changed the identity of the Gunners. They were no longer the "boring, boring Arsenal."
With Bergkamp in their ranks, the team gained flair, a cutting edge and an aesthetic beauty that personified what is meant by poetry in motion. The Dutchman's Arsenal career took a while to kick off. After 10 hours of play without getting on the scoresheet, the gamble had not paid off, it seemed.
But time has a fair way of rewarding those who stay patient. The goal came, the quality started flowing and the magician came alive. He took to the field for Arsenal a total of 410 times, scoring on 113 occasions and providing the assist on 93.
His ability to play on the half-turn and the positional sense of occupying pockets between the defence's lines was unmatched. Then, with utmost effortlessness, he would move the ball to the destined target with one touch.
It could be argued that Bergkamp's arrival opened the gateway for all the big names that were signed by Arsenal. By all means, go ahead and treat yourself to a montage of the Dutchman's most magical moments on the field.
RW: Alexis Sanchez
Robert Pires had a strike rate of 0.51 goal contributions per match during his time at Arsenal. Marc Overmars had a strike rate of 0.49 goal contributions per game. Their contributions to the Arsenal team that won the double in 1998 and 2002 respectively were considerable.
But it's very difficult to look beyond Alexis Sanchez when it comes to finding a winger who arrived from foreign territory and left his mark so convincingly. The Chilean brought his very best to the Emirates and faded away in a click after leaving.
In his 166 appearances for the Gunners, Sanchez scored 80 times and notched up a further 45 assists. That's 0.75 goal contributions per game. A combination of skills and tricks married to an energetic style of playing became the forward's trademark. The Chilean played high intensity football from the very first day.
He scored and assisted in the FA Cup final win against Aston Villa in 2015. Sanchez haunted Chelsea in the FA Cup final in 2017, scoring the all-important goal in the 2-1 victory. It wouldn't be wrong to say that on many occasions he single-handedly carried a team which otherwise lacked attacking threat.
