With 13 league titles and 14 FA Cups to their name, Arsenal are one of the most successful clubs in the history of European football.
The Gunners, quite famously, have never been relegated from the first division and despite not tasting much success in continental competitions, the Londoners have been a force to be reckoned with in domestic competitions, courtesy of some incredible players that they have employed over the years.
Under their legendary French manager, Arsenal redefined football in England, playing with a class and suave that was previously unseen in the birthplace of the sport.
The club’s attacking ethos and their eye for talent has seen a lot of high-scoring talents play for the Gunners, and below, we take a look at the five greatest goal scorers so far:
Thierry Henry – 228 goals
Arsenal’s greatest player Thierry Henry struck 228 times for the Gunners in two stints. The Frenchman joined the Londoners in 1999 after a brief stint with Juventus and instantly became a fan favourite at Highbury. Henry won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and led Arsenal to a Champions League final in 2006. He swapped the Emirates for the Nou Camp and joined Barcelona in 2007 before returning to Arsenal for six months in 2012.
He won the Premier League golden boot a record four times.
Ian Wright – 149 goals
Wright joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in 1991 at age 27 and spent eight years with the Gunners, scoring 149 goals for the side. The Englishman won the golden boot in his debut season at Arsenal and was extremely consistent in his seven years at the club. Wright won the Premier League once and the FA Cup twice with the Londoners.
Robin van Persie – 132 goals
He may have soured his relationship with the Arsenal fans by moving to Manchester United in 2012 and then celebrating a goal against his former side, but it’s hard to make a case against the fact that Robin van Persie is an Arsenal legend. The Dutchman signed for Arsenal in 2004 and deputised for Henry in his initial years. After the Frenchman’s departure to Barcelona, van Persie became the club’s main centre-forward and thrived in that role.
He skippered the Gunners for a season and won the golden boot as well as the PFA Player of the Year, essentially carrying the club to a place in the Champions League. Despite a lot of individual glories, van Persie could win only one title with Arsenal -- the 2004-05 FA Cup.
Dennis Bergkamp – 109 goals
If Henry was the brawn, Dennis Bergkamp was the brain of Arsenal’s attack. After an incredible career with Ajax, the Dutchman joined Inter Milan and spent two tumultuous years with the Nerazzurri before moving to Arsenal in 1995. Under Wenger, Bergkamp thrived and struck 109 goals for the side, winning three FA Cups and three Premier League titles in his 11 years in London.
Bergkamp, like Henry, was immortalised with a statue outside the Emirates and is one of the greatest players to ever don an Arsenal shirt.
Theo Walcott – 108 goals
Signed at just 17 years of age, Theo Walcott was touted to be the next big thing at Arsenal. Raw pace and an eye for the goal made him one the brightest talents in football and he showed glimpses of his incredible ability during his time with the club.
However, injuries curtailed what could have been a great career and Walcott could never truly reach his full potential. However, the Englishman still struck 108 goals in his 12 years with the Gunners and is fondly remembered by all Arsenal fans.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Odd Andersen
