Since the 1998 FA Cup Final (My Enlightenment Game), I have
witnessed many Gunners come and go, but here
are my Main XI by 2016 Season:
1. Petr CECH (Goalkeeper)
The Czech goalkeeper holds the Premiership
Record for the Most Clean Sheets. The Invincible Jens LEHMANN would be my
second-choice goalkeeper while David SEAMAN would be reserved for FA Cup ties
(Do you remember his impossible one-handed goalline save against Sheffield
United in 2003?) Kudos to Bob WILSON and Pat JENNINGS for the heroics before I
knew them…
2. Hector BELLERIN (Rightback)
Young but quick-footed, I would place the
Spaniard ahead of the brave Cameroonian LAUREN Etame Meyer (Substitute in case
of Penalty Shootout)…
3. Tony ADAMS (Centreback Captain)
Mr. Arsenal is the only Player to captain
an English club in three different decades (1980s, 1990s, and 2000s) plus won
three doubles (The unusual double was beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in both the
FA Cup and League Cup finals). Laurent KOSCIELNY can deputise in his absence…
4. Sol CAMPBELL (Centreback)
Strong, solid and dedicated, Sol was the
backbone of the Invincibles New Guard alongside Kolo TOURE…
5. Ashley COLE (Leftback)
It is hard choosing an Arsenal leftback:
SANTOS was promising but left early, SILVINHO tried and so does Kieran GIBBS,
but Ashley COLE brought with him an amazing drive and enthusiasm to win…
6. Patrick VIEIRA (Central Defensive Midfielder)
The talismanic giant clad in jersey number
4 (replaced by Cesc FABREGAS) was one of the three players who made me marvel
at Arsenal. The other was his French teammate Emmanuel PETIT because of
their “retreating defence” partnership and fearlessness…
7. Robert PIRES (Attacking Midfielder)
During the May 2002 Trophy Presentation,
his teammates bowed down before him as he lifted up the EPL Cup on the podium
dressed in trousers and an Arsenal shirt. He was still recovering from an
injury that ended his season in February but still grabbed the Football Writers’
Player of the Year Award, I cannot say more…
8. Mesut OEZIL (Free-role Midfielder)
The Turkish-German Assist Master was a
revelation for Wenger since 2013 creating goals like a wellspring. Just find Oezil! If I was to pick
a playmaker from the past for this position, I would choose Liam BRADY…
9. Dennis BERGKAMP (Midfielder)
The Flying Dutchman was a menace to
opponents by playing “No Nonsense” Football. His sublime skills made him a darling at Highbury. Bergkamp's testimonial was the First Game played at the brand
new Emirates Stadium (Ashburton Grove), great Memory in 2006! I wish his
countrymate Robin van PERSIE had stayed longer. Besides the Dutchmen, Freddie
LJUNGBERG, Nwankwo KANU and Sylvain WILTORD impressed too…
10. Ian WRIGHT (Striker)
The Englishman was the first Gunner I
marveled at (around 1994), but I wasn’t so much into the Premier League. My
Biggest Weekly Interest was Michael JORDAN. Then, since MJ23 was retiring the
second time in 1998, Arsenal took over in Wright’s final game for Arsenal
though on the bench. I still wonder how I missed getting to know Michael THOMAS (1989) at a
time I liked Liverpool’s John BARNES or Alan SMITH (1994)…
11. Thierry HENRY (Main Striker)
He needs no introduction, definitely the
Greatest Gunner ever, an Invincible 49er. If I was to name his replacement, then
maybe Davor Suker, Eduardo da Silva or Olivier Giroud if not Cliff Bastin, Ted Drake or Charlie George from the Past. The Team Manager
would be Arsene WENGER (the Invincible One), assisted by Herbert CHAPMAN or the other way round…
