Arsenal's Best Dribblers

Technically, every Gunner including goalkeepers can dribble, but there are some whose skill or effort is exceptional and noteworthy. I became an Arsenal fan during the 1998 FA Cup Final and have witnessed quite a number of good dribblers come and go. It's not easy to choose who is the ultimate Best Dribbler at The Arsenal, but here are my Favourites since my Enlightenment Game.

In Wenger's first and second group of Double Champions, I must say Dennis Bergkamp can be singled out as one very talented individual. Nicknamed the "Dutch Master", his sublime skill was world-class and confirmed when he scored the Best Goal according to many pundits during the 1998 World Cup in France for Netherlands (Holland) against Argentina. He also scored the Best Premiership Goal during the 2002 Season at Newcastle United from a Robert Pires assist, hailed as arguably the Hottest Arsenal Goal of All-time thanks to his dribbling acumen. He did not plan it, but his touch and turn past the defender still seemed untaught: It just happened. The Invincible 49ers also did a lot of dribbling like Sylvain Wiltord and Lauren Etame Meyer running the right flank hustle.

Kaba Diawara as a Substitute on his Highbury debut in a 1-0 win over Chelsea (Sunday 31st January 1999)

Arsenal failed to retain their Premiership crown in 1999, but (French-born Guinean) Kaba Diawara showed probably the Most Potent Dribbling Skills I have ever seen in any Gunner with an eye for a self-made chance. He didn't score the hard-to-come-by winners and stuff needed to win the championship, but he surely entertained with much hope and unfathomed intelligence like Brazil's very gifted non-Gunner Wonderman Denilson (de Oliveira Araujo) dribbling five players or precariously on the touchline.

Nwankwo Kanu, the beanpole Nigerian was also a class act. Despite a sluggish disposition, he used it to his advantage to deceive opponents with wonderful unanticipated footwork at the right moment. It was said that the ball seemed to be tied to his shoelaces, guess that summarises everything.

Croatian Davor Suker, the Top Scorer during France 98 was also amazing when he moved to Highbury, but it took time for me to see another naturally gifted dribbler.

Aleksander Hleb had all the attributes of a natural born dribbler. I bet the Belarusian could do it in his sleep or without training. Slim but very agile and not too showy.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, meanwhile is a Gunner who can dribble at speed past opponents. It's like he is not afraid of a tackle, just runs into it like Jack Wilshere. Serge Gnabry would be his best understudy in midfield.

Rightback Hector Bellerin is the ultimate Speed Merchant and Most Coolheaded Gunner when it comes to getting past opponents, always seems focussed on the play. Ivorians Johan Djourou (though Swiss National) and Emmanuel Eboue before him dribbled quite well despite criticism about their focus. Brazilians Silvinho and Santos used to be energetic going forward on the left flank too.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide also has that "it" dribbling factor. He should be allowed to express himself like Abou Diaby minus the multiple injuries.

All the other Gunners, both past and present, have their own efficient maneouvres for instance Robert Pires running forward to a stop with the ball, back then forward again immediately down the left flank or a fiery Thierry Henry creating space with pace for his many goals, just to mention a few. However, the ones listed above seem to have something extra I cannot forget.

The Gunner who takes the crown among the current lot would be the hair-raising Spaniard Santi Cazorla. Doesn't he remind you of Chelsea's Gianfranco Zola in the late 1990s and 2000s? Okay, maybe because the names rhyme but Santi is also the Most Ambidextrous Gunner (though mainly rightfooted), down to earth, enjoyable to watch and relatively classy with an eye for goal. He can turn left or right with ease, knows what to do with the ball, little or small in stature like Messi but very dynamic and completes his dribbles. Remember what he did to Man Utd's Schweinsteiger with his head?! Nevertheless, before I forget, Alexis Sanchez is an enthusiastic dribbler and deserves this nod according to statistics, however I prefer Santi. Mesut Oezil cannot also be ignored, but as good as he is as an Assistman, Santi edges him a bit on this one. Happy #FriendsDay!