North London giants Arsenal have been one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world, though not so much in recent years. The club is entering its 8th year without a trophy, and will be finally hoping to end the drought through
the likes of new signings Olivier Giroud, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505.
Success or no success, the team is known for some of the best attacking football and producing the finest young talent in the English league. The club has always had a strong football philosophy of developing promising young players into world class superstars.
Take for instance Cesc Fabregas, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380.
However, nothing matches the Arsenal side that went on to win the Premier League unbeaten. The Invincibles, as many like to call them, were a team that played explosive football. They were solid at the back, quick on the counter, dominating in midfield and
menacing up front. It was a team that many feared. The same cannot be said for the Arsenal sides of recent times, but there still have been many world class players since Arsenal last won the English title, or any other trophy for that matter.
Right now, we’ll have a look at, what I think, is the best ever Arsenal side.
In goal, I would have http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Seaman anytime, any day. The Englishman was a reliable figure to have in goal, and commanded that position with authority and confidence. Though many would say that he had an amazing defensive unit to protect him, the shot stopper
has made some amazing saves over the years and was indeed a world class goalkeeper.
At right back, there is no one better than http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148. Many would argue for Lauren’s case here, but I think the Frenchman, when he is fit and not sidelined, is the best right-back in the world. His defensive discipline and focus are his key strengths and
his ability to deliver deadly and pin-point crosses in the box are also a welcome asset.
In the centre, there’s no better pairing than http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tony-c35440 Adam and Martin Keown. The former was the perfect definition of a one-club man. His loyalty to Arsenal should serve as an example for players today, who care more about the financial side of football than
football itself. Adams was a composed, focused and sensible defender, who captained the side till he retired. Keown was a typical English centre-half. Tall, imposing, aggressive and ruthless, he was never shy of getting into the opposition’s faces and was
a complete defender.
At left-back, there’s no one better than http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786, and is hated by many Arsenal fans, but there is no doubt that ability and quality wise, he was (and perhaps still is) one of the best English full-backs.
His defensive discipline and his pace and attacking tenacity were the fear of many of the league’s defenders. Cole was indeed the best left-back Arsenal have had to date.
In midfield, there is no one to rival the position of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 and the pivotal factor in their invincible
season. Partnered by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robert-c31222 Pires on the wings, these three made the best ever midfield in the league. The wingers offered pace, physicality and a brutal finish. Ljungberg was known for his finishing and eloquent chips, while Pires was
known for his dribbling and pace, though he never really needed both to be as good as he was.
Up front, I’ll have Dutchman and striker extraordinaire Dennis Bergkamp in the ‘false nine’ role, sitting right behind the striker, which for me, is Theirry Henry. Both players are, without a doubt the absolute best strike pairing the Premier League (and
arguably Europe) has ever seen.
Bergkamp was technically gifted and special player. I have never seen anyone who could control the ball like he could. His touches, flicks and shots were out of this world. The player never needed pace ort trickery, though he was quite well stocked in both
departments. His greatest ability was perhaps his ability to carve open defences and link up attack. Give him Henry up front, and you have a recipe for goals, goals, and more goals.
Henry was a complete striker. He had skill, pace, positional awareness, an explosive shot, and a finish that was the envy of strikers across the striker. He could do things that were unearthly. Case in point, his goal against Manchester United were he flicked
the ball up, turned and volleyed it into the far corner, with United keeper and compatriot Fabien Barthez just looking at what had transpired. Even the Manchester fans were full of appreciation at what they had just seen.
This has to be the greatest Arsenal side of all times, without a doubt. Over the years, there have been many talented and special players, but none to match the calibre and ability of the ones that were just mentioned above.
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