A Closer Look at What Makes the Gooners So Special

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Arsenal Football Club: A Closer Look at What Makes the Gooners So Special

Anyone who is even the most casual football fan is well aware of the influence that Arsenal has exerted over the years. Not only is this one of the most consistently impressive English League teams, but Arsenal has produced a handful of players who are now synonymous with greatness.

However, there is much more than meets the eye besides championship recognition. What makes Arsenal “tick”? What are some of their most unique qualities? Do any competitions stand the test of time? Which top-tier players has Arsenal produced over the years? These are some of the questions that will be examined throughout the remainder of this article. Sit back, grab a cuppa, and get ready for an interesting story. 

The History of Arsenal FC

Believe it or not, this team was first known as “Dial Square” after being founded in 1886. So, where did the name Arsenal come from? This title is derived from munitions workers who were involved in its official inauguration. It then evolved to “Royal Arsenal” before changing its name once again to “Woolwich Arsenal” in 1893. Eventually, fans decided that shortening the name down to Arsenal was the best choice (especially when we consider that the club changed venues a handful of times).

Most experts agree that the real history of Arsenal began under the leadership of Herbert Chapman during the 1920s and 1930s. Several innovative approaches were introduced by Mr. Chapman. These included the first instance of shirts with individual player numbers, and relatively modern performance training (compared to other clubs of the same stature). It was for these reasons that Arsenal was able to walk away with its first FA Cup in 1930, and to secure an additional five league titles in the decade to follow.

While an entire article could be devoted to exploring the roots of Arsenal, brevity can sometimes be the soul of wit. It is for this reason why we will break the somewhat recent history of Arsenal down into three general categories:

• The Post-War Years
• Arsenal under Wenger (1996-2014)
• The modern era

Many fans will likewise cite the Wegner epoch as the most prolific time for Arsenal in terms of league dominance. Arsenal snatched no fewer than three Premier League titles, and this team walked away undefeated during the 2003-04 season (the origin of the nickname “The Invincibles”.

While the leadership that can be attributed to Wegner can never be replicated, Arsenal has still been performing quite well since 2006. They moved to Emirates Stadium (a surprise to some fans), and they have recently exhibited impressive offensive skills thanks in large part to the influence of Mikel Arteta.

To put all these observations into perspective, here are some of the most impressive achievements that Arsenal has managed to obtain over the years:

• 13 titles in the English League
• The longest top-flight run since as far back as 1919.
• 14 FA Cup victories.

Now that we have learned to appreciate the foundations of Arsenal, are there any particular matches that fans have continually referenced? Let us examine three unforgettable competitions to appreciate why the nickname “The Invincibles” is a perfectly appropriate title.

Arsenal Versus Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal and Tottenham have always been heated rivals, and several competitions immediately come to mind. However, few would argue that their victory in the 2003-04 season is one of the most unforgettable. It is important to remember that this was the very same season when Arsenal emerged undefeated. The team knew that Tottenham would be a formidable foe, and that they would seek to end the unbeaten streak. This is why Arsenal fans were understandably on the edges of their seats throughout the match. They eventually walked away with a victory after a 2-2 draw in overtime thanks in large part to the efforts of Robert Pires, and Patrick Vieira. No team has replicated their performance since then. 

Arsenal Versus Liverpool

We will next roll the proverbial clocks back to 1989. Arsenal had not won a league title since 1971, so they were obviously eager to taste victory once again. The only issue was that Liverpool stood in their way; the other team up for the title. Furthermore, Arsenal would be required to score at least two goals if they hoped to have a chance. This was no easy feat when we consider the reputation of the Reds. Still, Arsenal was up to the task thanks to the indomitable efforts of players such as Lee Dixon, Michael Thomas, and John Lukic. Although this day has often gone down in infamy from Liverpool’s perspective, the same cannot be said for Arsenal fans. 

Arsenal Versus Manchester United

A final match that has rightfully earned a place in the annals of football involves the rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United in 2002. Arsenal was already riding high thanks to an FA Cup victory, and they were hoping to capitalise on this sense of momentum. To be entirely fair, this was no easy feat. Man United put up a formidable defence, and their offensive line was one of the best in the league at the time. However, things began to change thanks to the efforts of Silvain Wiltord. He scored the only goal of the match, and Arsenal would go on to oust Manchester United by 1-0. What is perhaps even more impressive that Arsenal was lacking a host of key players. These included Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, and Robert Pires. This once again represents a perfect example of why team cohesion plays such an important role in the outcome of any match. As the reader may have expected, Arsenal fans continue to refer to this game on a regular basis. 

The Top Arsenal Players of All Time

What are the most effective soccer betting strategies that the professionals will often employ? While some will tout technical modelling, and historical analyses, the fact of the matter is that the players who happen to be on the pitch at any given time can make or break any outcome.

When we then remember that countless legends have already donned an Arsenal jersey, the concept of the “most talented” individual can be somewhat subjective. However, there are still several names worth mentioning. Let’s now move on to take a quick look at six players who have already cemented their places in Arsenal history. 

Liam Brady

Affectionately known as “Chippy”, Liam Brady seemed to have everything that a midfielder could hope for. He was an extremely accurate striker, he had the innate ability to glide past his opponents, and he was also extremely intellectual when it came to tactical strategies. While some doubted whether he would be able to fill the shoes of Jeff Blockley, these notions were quickly put to rest soon after he joined Arsenal in 1970. Liam Brady is still considered to be one of the most impressive Arsenal players in history. 

David Seaman

This next goalkeeper enjoyed a 13-year tenure with Arsenal; making him a familiar name on the pitch. While some doubted if a signing bonus of £1.3 was a worthwhile investment, his prowess did not take long to emerge. Many compare Seaman to other names including Steve Bould, Lee Dixon, and Ian Wright. In other words, he was thought to be the best goalkeeper that money could buy at the time. Seaman likewise boasts a record of no fewer than 21 clean sheets, and he was instrumental in Arsenal’s 1990-91 league title. 

Robert Pires

This next midfielder played with Arsenal from 2000 to 2006. Pires had made a name for himself at Metz, and he had much to prove after moving to Arsenal. He was thoughout to be one of the most dangerous strikers that this team has ever possessed, and Pires was particularly known for an unorthodox running style that continually stymied his opponents. Having said this, his entry was somewhat bittersweet. Pires was meant to replace David Rockastle who passed away in 2001. While we have to imagine that he felt a considerable amount of pressure filling such large shoes, Pires seemed to embrace the transition. He would go on to become yet another Arsenal legend in his own right. 

Ian Wright

Ian Wright played for Arsenal between 1991 and 1998; a man who was lucky enough to experience what some have referred to as the team’s modern “golden era”. Goalkeepers dreaded any moment that Wright would be given possession of the ball, as his accurate striking abilities were virtually unmatched in the entire league. This is rather ironic when we remember that Wright entered professional football at the age of 22; some feeling that he was too “old” to perform at Premier League standards. Not only were his detractors proven wrong, but Wright was also known for his charismatic personality while away from the pitch; making him a clear fan favourite. 

Dennis Bergkamp

The story of Dennis Bergkamp is essentially a novel in and of itself, so it can be difficult to encapsulate the overall impact he had on Arsenal during a tenure that spanned an impressive 11 years. Still, statistics do not lie. Bergkamp enjoyed 423 appearances for Arsenal, and ended his career with a mind-blowing 120 goals. It also appears that Berkgamp donned the Arsenal jersey at the right time, as many fans had claimed that the team was somewhat “boring” (immediately following the exodus of George Graham). In other words, Bergkamp was just what the doctor ordered in terms of injecting a new sense of momentum. Known for his physical prowess and the ability to execute seemingly impossible on-the-fly passes also defined the overall style of Bergkamp. This is why it is no great surprise that he was one of the first players to be featured in the initial iterations of online fantasy football during the latter half of the 1990s. 

Thierry Henry

When it comes to top-flight Arsenal players, look no further than Thierry Henry. Henry enjoyed two separate stints with Arsenal, and he played a total of 377 games. While this alone is impressive, let’s not forget to mention that he also scored 228 goals; appearing to be more machine than man while on the pitch.

Thierry Henry embodied all that was expected (and more) from an Arsenal forward. This Frenchman possessed a unique amalgam of strength, speed, and agility. While these attributes defined him in terms of performance, Thierry brought much more to the table. He was the team captain, an expert when it came to assists, and a so-called “dead ball” expert. The fact that he was always able to find a way to squeeze past even the best goalkeepers was yet another trait that few footballers (then and now) can ever hope to match. 

Arsenal: Dreams do Come True

Arsenal enjoys a well-deserved reputation throughout the English League, and it is now clear to see why. This is also the very same reason why sports betting fans turn to bookmaking platforms such as Stake.com to obtain the latest odds and fixtures; especially when it comes to the top players of today. Some of these names include Mikel Marino, Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz. While these represent the next generation of Arsenal personalities, they rightfully owe a significant portion of their fame to the predecessors highlighted above.

So, what might the future of Arsenal have in store? Will we see other legends emerge from the woodwork in the coming years? Although it is not possible to predict such outcomes with any degree of certainty, The Gunners should continue to push the envelope when it comes to sheer talent. Whether you are an avid sports betting enthusiast, or you simply enjoy watching a football game from the sidelines, Arsenal aims to please. 

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