George Swindin, 1936-54
George Swindin was the Gunner’s longest playing goal keeper as he played for the club for almost eighteen years, and then his career was abruptly finished because of the Second World War.
He won two hundred and ninety seven caps for the Gunners and literally spent his whole career with them.
When thinking of Swindin his career is cut in two halves, one is his goal keeping period before the war and one after it.
As before the war his skills on the field were less as he was always nervous on the field, he had an erratic behaviour trend, and this made him compete with players like Frank Boulton and Alex Wilson for the first team spot.
The book ‘Arsenal who’s who’ written by Jeff Harris said that at the early stages of his career, Swindin was excitable, slightly strung, nervous and inconsistent.
George lacked confidence on the field, was hesitant about his capabilities and was a poor kicker.
Still Swindin was determined with the game and his efforts were paid off by his hard work, as he made more first team appearances than the other two competing for the spot and this landed him with the first division medal.
When the war started, he fulfilled his duties to his country as a PT instructor in the army and still managed to make a few appearances in some games.
When the war ended, there came a complete transformation in the player as when he resumed his regular football his game play was shocking.
He made a drastic change in his goal keeping skills, and became the undisputed number one goalkeeper for Arsenal for the next six seasons.
His behaviour on the field and off the field changed as well and most believe that this led to him dominating the penalty box in various occasions.
He came back with a commanding demeanour, and with his strong physical build up, he was feared by many players in the league.
George Swindin went on to gain his second and third championship medals in the 1947-48 season and the 1951-52 season.
He also made it to the FA Cup twice but eventually his increasing age started to take its toll on the player and he was finally replaced by a talented goalie named Welshman Jack Kelsey.
Later, Swindin also made the books in the club’s lucrative history and is still remembered in high regard in the club and his fans.
John Lukic, 1983-90, 1996-2001
John Lukic was an English goalie, who was born from Serbian parents. He was a long serving Gunners player and his input to the team made him the title of being an Arsenal legend.
Lukic started his professional football career with Leeds United and then made the move to the Gunners in 1983.
He was spent a lot of time there and he came as a replacement for Pat Jennings, he had a permanent spot in the first team squad and was loved by all fans. He was the undisputed best goal keeper for Arsenal.
He remained the best till until 1990, when he was replaced by David Seaman who was his understudy in Leeds United.
Lukic was much loved by Arsenal fans, as the player would not let them down and kept giving amazing performances with consistency.
To be continued…
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