5 most influential players in Arsenal's history
Arsenal are a club with a rich, glittering history, which means they have had some simply incredible players.
Although the club might not be what it once was, there are still so many influential players to have played for Arsenal. There are a number of reasons in which these players have affected the club - ranging from being the club’s leading goalscorer, being the club’s greatest captain, or being an important signing at a time when the club was struggling, to being an influential player in a club’s history.
On that note, here is a look at five of the most influential players in Arsenal’s history.
5) George Graham
George Graham not only played for Arsenal and won trophies, but did a fantastic job as a manager too. His time as a player was a six-year span from 1966-1972, where he played 227 league games. As a forward, not a striker, his 60 league goals for the club were quite impressive.
In his first two seasons, before John Radford would move into the centre-forward position, Graham occupied that position and was the top scorer for those first two seasons. He then dropped back to inside forward, but his contribution didn’t end there.
He played a crucial role in Arsenal’s double-winning season of 1970-71 as a forward. However, the most influential part of him being an Arsenal player was that it set up for him to become the manager of the club in the future. And that is where he would put Arsenal top of the tree in England, and guide them to two league titles, two league cups, an FA Cup and a UEFA Cup Winners Cup.
He was an incredible manager. He turned Arsenal’s fortunes around with the club not having won a trophy for seven years. Not many play and manage the same club, so both of his times at the club must come into consideration.
Although he did go on to manage Tottenham, his influence at Arsenal on a whole is undeniable. He will forever live on in the memory of Arsenal fans.