1-) Thierry HenryArsenal's number one legend, up to now, is still Thierry Henry. He is called King Henry for a reason. Arsenal all time leading scorer and top scorer in the Highbury. A feat that can never be matched. With 228 goals over 8 years, expect it to last a while. Magical was his displays, breath-taking his goals. Sheer power, pace and electrifying performances. Left in 2007 but he cemented his status even more with a short spell in 2012 where he scored two vital goals (three including the discounted one). He will always be remembered by fans. "He may be cemented in bronze but he is still capable of producing golden moments..."
2-) Dennis Bergkamp
While Henry was the general of the EPL, Bergkamp was his lieutenant.
He lit up the EPL within a short while. With his physical power and ability to pick a killer pass, he immediately became one of the EPL's best players. He signaled the end of "boring, boring" Arsenal and brought much flare to their attacking technique. He scored so many beautiful goals. Remember the one vs Newcastle? He was an integral part of the 2004 "Invinceables" squad. After finally calling quits, he was given a testimonial, final game worthy of a player of his status and caliber. He will always be an Arsenal legend.
What other name best fits this Arsenal legend's services to the team other than "Mr. Arsenal." He was an incredible one-club man. Part of the famous back four of the George Graham years, Arsene Wenger was blessed with a defensive rock upon arrival. He even called him "a professor of defense" and he could not have been more true. He made 699 appearances and was the Arsenal captain for 14 years, in which he won 10 major trophies in three different decades. His long Arsenal career came to and end in style as he clinched the double for Arsenal, for the last time, in 2002, after beating Man U. in Old Trafford. The ultimate captain Arsenal has ever seen.
Prior to the arrival of Henry, there was another sheriff in town. His name was Ian Wright. Arsenal's second all-time scorer. He was signed from Crystal Palace in 1985 for a club record of 2.5m and though it was a moved questioned then, everyone can now agree it was money well spent. With 288 appearances and 185 goals in the span of 7 years, Ian Wright is one of Arsenal's best ever strikers. He was a great showboats men and he had the goals to back it up. Whenever the "One-nil to the Arsenal chants" was heard, we knew who scored that one. He was a great goal scorer and a scorer of great goals.
Signed in 1990 for 1.3m, a British record for a goalkeeper, David Seamen proved his talent as a shot-stopper in the Arsenal shirt in no time. The goalkeeper was capable of pulling of death-defying saves and he was the man behind the "One-nil to the Arsenal" chants as he safe-guarded his post well. One of the greatest goalkeeper in the English football history, if not the best, Seamen call quits to his Arsenal career after 13 years of world class performances, 564 appearances and 8 major trophies. His final act as an Arsenal player was lifting the FA Cup in 2003.
Pat Rice is an obvious Arsenal legend, to both the older generations and the young. An Arsenal great, he made his first Arsenal appearance at the age of 18. Arsenal won the double in his first season, 70/71 season. After the departure of Allan Ball, Rice was named Arsenal captain in 1977 and he lead them to three successive FA Cup finals. Rice left the club with 528 games and 12 goals. Rice's devotion to the club continued pass retirement as he returned to the club as a coaching role. After a caretaker spell after Bruce Rioch's departure, he became assistant manager to Arsene Wenger and held that position till his retirement in 2012 at Arsenal's last game of the 2011-2012 season vs West Brom.
One of Arsenal's most gifted midfielder, he was blessed creativity, speed and a goal-scoring talent. He was brought in 2000 to replace Marc Overmars who had left the club and Pires hadn't started out great. It took him while but as soon as he learnt the ropes, no one was missing Overmars anymore. He was a regularly scoring midfielder who was capable of scaring any defenders and had scoped the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year Award for his mesmerizing play. His greatest season came in the 2003-2004 campaign where he was part of the deadly attack force of the "Invinceables" who conquered England and lit Europe a lite. He will always be remembered as on of Arsenal's best and his goals in the North London Derby only adds on top of it.
He arrived at Highbury in 1996 alongside Arsene Wenger and just as Wenger revolutionized the club, so did Vieira. His physical stature and his 6ft 4in frame meant he could bully any player but he was also the craftsman, able to win balls and then carry them to the goal. There was also his ability to smash a ball into the net from long range. He was part of the ever conquering Arsenal midfield and in 2002, after the retirement of Adams, he was named club captain. He was a passionate leader who was made even more famous with his on and off the field battles with Roy Keane. His final act as an Arsenal player was winning them the FA Cup with his decisive penalty shot. He is currently manages the reserve squad at Man C and would definitely move higher up the list if he joined on Arsenal's coaching staff.
Liam Brady was one of them midfielders who could pass even the toughest defenders with ease. He had started making his name at Arsenal at the early age of 17. He had made his first Arsenal appearance in a match against Birmingham. Liam had partnered the World Cup winner, Alan Ball and upon his departure, he had taken up his reigns as the Arsenal midfield maestro. He had collected the PFA Player of The Season award in his time at Arsenal and by the 79/80 season, he had decided to leave Arsenal. Liam Brady was a midfield talent and will always be remembered for that historic win over Manchester United in the FA Cup finals.
Closing off this list is this Arsenal legend. Sometimes history is never forgotten and the same can be said for Cliff Bastin. The fact that few, if not none, Arsenal fans can say that they actually saw Cliff Bastin and yet he came in number 18 in Arsenal.com Gunner's Greatest 50 Players is a milestone. His tally of 178 goals in 395 games makes him Arsenal's third highest goalscorer ever. Even though he faced great turbulence such as injuries and the World War II, his Arsenal career which spanned from 1929-1946 is still seen as the most remarkable for an individual player. He will always be a timeless legend.
This list is mainly based on Arsenal.com Gunner's Greatest 50 Players list though ranking may vary.
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