6. Lee Dixon
Whilst Lee Dixon’s final few years with the Gunners were after the league was reformed to only include 20 teams, Dixon – now a pundit, still managed to be a key player for Arsenal until the early 2000s.
Dixon won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups with the Gunners during the modern top-flight era, the ace would perhaps be even more successful in today’s game.
The England international’s quality on the ball was superb for a full-back in that day and age, Dixon is certainly one of Arsenal’s all-time great defenders.
5. Laurent Koscielny
Koscielny is one of far too many players in recent years for Arsenal that could’ve been a bonafide Premier League great were it not for injuries.
After arriving from France – like many of Arsenal’s top players under Arsene Wenger, Koscielny quickly became one of the top-flight’s best centre-back’s.
The France international was a three-time FA Cup winner with the Gunners, the ace’s brilliant all-around athleticism made him one of the first style of defenders that we’ve now become accustomed to.
Unfortunately, Koscielny is another player whose career with Arsenal came to an unsavoury end, the ace left the Gunners last summer after nine years on fairly bad terms.
4. Martin Keown
After leaving Arsenal’s academy, Keown returned to the Gunners as a well-polished defender that would go on to be a key player for almost a decade.
The England international’s tough and aggressive style made him a fine defender, allowing teammate and Arsenal great Tony Adams to hold things tight a little deeper – sweeping up anything that made its way past Keown.
Keown won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his time with the Gunners, Mikel Arteta’s side are crying out for a player like this today.