With major football leagues brought to a halt by the Coronavirus pandemic, we think it’s time that we take a look at some of the best players to play for some of England’s biggest clubs during the Premier League era.
Here’s our take on Arsenal’s 10 best defenders during this era, whilst the Gunners have been a little shaky at the back in recent years, they’ve had some real stalwarts in defence during the reformed top-flight’s history…
10. Lauren
Cameroon star Lauren joined Arsenal in the summer of 2000 and established himself as a legend during seven years with the Gunners.
The right-back was a mainstay in Arsenal’s phenomenal Invincibles side, the full-back won two league titles and three FA Cups during his time with the north London outfit.
The full-back made 159 top-flight appearances for the Gunners, the ace’s reliability is something that the side have really missed over the last couple of years.
9. Per Mertesacker
The gigantic centre-back arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2011 and enjoyed seven years with the Gunners, the Germany international’s dedication to the club is unmatched, with the ace now playing a key role within the club’s academy since retiring.
Mertesacker was a solid defender for the Gunners, the ace was one of the league’s top defenders for several years despite having very little pace to work with.
The big friendly giant forged a solid defensive partnership with Laurent Koscielny and this duo perhaps could’ve led to the team to more success if it wasn’t for injuries.
8. Bacary Sagna
After arriving from France, Sagna quickly established himself as one of the best right-back’s in the Premier League, the ace’s tireless runs up and down the right flank helped Arsenal’s fierce attackers flourish.
Sagna’s seven-year spell with the Gunners came to a sour end, with the Frenchman deciding to join Manchester City on a free transfer.
Sagna’s fine performances for the north London outfit won him 65 caps for France, the ace made 285 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners.
7. Kolo Toure
The Ivorian centre-back’s career is perhaps vastly underrated, today’s younger fans only see the ace for his likeable personality, but before all this Kolo was a no-nonsense defender that was a real asset for Arsenal.
We’ve all heard some of the crazy training ground stories about Toure, but this really transcended to his play on the pitch – the defender certainly didn’t hold back from any challenges.
After seven successful years with the Gunners the ace joined Manchester City, many of Arsenal’s top defenders of this century like Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy soured their relationship with fans by joining the Citizens.
Kolo had the chance to play alongside his younger brother Yaya at City.
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.
3. Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole is one of England’s best defenders of all time, the star really transformed the full-back role with his attack-minded play.
Cole spent eight years with the Gunners after breaking through from the academy, the left-back was a part of Arsenal’s memorable Invincibles team.
Without sounding like a broken record, Cole soured his relationship with Arsenal after controversially joining Chelsea in 2006, the England great went on to have a legendary career with the Blues.
Arsenal really could have been something else if someone like Cole stayed in north London, unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be.
2. Sol Campbell
Just like Cole, Sol Campbell was a generational talent, the man who was literally built like a rock is one of England’s greatest defenders ever.
Whilst Campbell was only with the Gunners for five years, this was more than enough time for the centre-back to make his impact on the red side of north London.
The football world was shocked when the defender left Spurs in favour of a move to their cross-town rivals, Campbell made that move to win and the proof was in the pudding.
Sol helped Arsenal win two Premier League titles and FA Cups, as well as helping the Gunners to the Champions League final – only for heartbreak against Barcelona to ensue.
To this day England may not have seen a player with such strength and size that was as quick as Campbell.
1. Tony Adams
You don’t earn the nickname ‘Mr. Arsenal’ for nothing, Tony Adams comfortably sits at the top of Arsenal’s best defenders of the Premier League era and of all-time.
Adams gave his entire career to the Gunners, there really aren’t enough words to describe Adams’ contributions to the north London outfit’s success.
Adams played in over 650 matches during his near twenty-year spell with the Gunners, as well as being one of the best defenders of his generation – the star was a phenomenal leader for the club.
Adams was captain for arguably the most successful period of Arsenal’s history. The England great’s ability to read the game and break up play was just sensational to watch.
Honourable mention: Nigel Winterburn was a superb player for the Gunners but the left-back only played a key role for a few seasons for the Gunners after the top-flight was changed to 20 teams from 95/96 onwards.