5 players who have tormented Arsenal over the years
Arsenal are one of a select group of clubs in Europe to have never been relegated from the English top-flight. Given the length of their stay at the zenith of English football, Arsenal have had to face many phenomenal sides and remarkable players. The Gunners boast a rich 135-year history, with 13 top-flight wins, 14 FA Cups, two League Cups and 16 Community Shield trophies to their name.
The Gunners were able to take on nearly any club in the world in their prime. However, they have also repeatedly fallen victim to certain players. Considering the north London club’s stay at the top end of the footballing pyramid, some notable and highly-gifted footballers make the list.
So without further ado, we look at five players who have tormented Arsenal over the years:
#5 Lionel Messi | PSG
It is little surprise that the Argentine maestro makes this list. Although he has never played in the Premier League before, Lionel Messi has showcased a brilliant record against English teams in the Champions League. The Gunners have had to play against Barcelona with Messi in the team and they have only managed to win once.
LIVE | Messi scores! Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal trib.al/IoOq66F https://t.co/J0VVYvC43p
Messi has tormented Arsenal consistently, having scored an astonishing nine goals in just six appearances against the Gunners. His best performance against the north London outfit came in 2010 when he scored four goals against the London outfit in a single game.
In fact, apart from their first-leg clash in 2010, Messi has directly contributed a minimum of one goal every time he has faced the Gunners. The star's record includes two assists and four wins out of six against Arsenal.
#4 Jamie Vardy | Leicester City
Although he has scored fewer goals against Arsenal than some other legends, Jamie Vardy deserves a spot on this list because of his pure ruthlessness. The 35-year-old faced Arsenal for the very first time in 2014. In the period that followed, Vardy has become a regular tormentor to the Gunners.
The star notably didn't score against Arsenal in his first two games against them. However, he began his goalscoring record against them a year later in 2015.
Jamie Vardy scores against Arsenal for the 11th time in 12 games ⚡ https://t.co/7E8RJkx17I
In what would go on to be Leicester City's title-winning season, Vardy scored three goals in two games against Arsenal. He repeated the feat again in the 2017-18 season.
So far, the Foxes' marksman has played 14 games against the Gunners and he has scored an astonishing 11 times. Although his team's overall record against Arsenal is poor - 7 losses in 14 games - Vardy's personal record against the club cannot be ignored.