Arsenal, one of the most successful teams in English football, has seen a myriad of exceptional talents grace its ranks.
Among the prestigious numbers worn by players, the No.10 jersey holds a special place in the hearts of Arsenal fans worldwide.
The aura surrounding the number extends beyond the players who have worn it.
It sums up the style of play and the attacking philosophy deeply ingrained in the club’s DNA. Arsenal’s number 10 jersey is a beacon of creativity and flair, representing the club’s commitment to attractive and free-flowing soccer.
From legendary figures to modern-day maestros, this article digs deep into the gunner’s history.
- Dennis Bergkamp – 315 caps, 87 goals
- Paul Merson -327 caps, 78 goals
- Robin van Persie – 194 caps, 96 goals
- Mesut Ozil -184 caps, 33 goals
- Jack Wilshere – 125 caps, 7 goals
- William Gallas – 101 caps, 12 goals
- Doug Lishman -226 caps, 125 goals
- George Graham -227 caps, 60 goals
- Kevin Campbell -163 caps, 46 goals
- Charlie George -133 caps, 31 goals
Dennis Bergkamp – 315 caps, 87 goals
He was a beloved and admired player for Arsenal.
He showed grace, vision, and excellent finishing skills during his 11 years at the club.
Bergkamp was known for his amazing talent and fantastic goals, which made him one of the best players to wear the No.10 jersey.
Before joining Arsenal, he wore the number 7 for Ajax and the Netherlands when he played as a right winger.
Later, he also wore 8 and 9 for his national team. However, he loved the number 10 the most, and he asked to wear it when he signed for Arsenal for £7.5 million after struggling in Italy.
It took him a while to settle in at Arsenal and start scoring goals, but once he did, he became one of the most successful foreign players in English football.
During his time at Arsenal, Bergkamp won the league in 1998 and 2002, and the team achieved the domestic double both times.
He was also part of the famous ‘Invincibles’ season in 2003-04 when Arsenal remained undefeated. Additionally, Arsenal won the FA Cup in 2003 and 2005.
Bergkamp’s final season with Arsenal coincided with the club’s last season at Highbury. Each home game was a special tribute to him.
Appropriately, he scored his last goal for Arsenal on April 15, 2006, during a game against West Bromwich Albion, which was dedicated to celebrating Dennis Bergkamp.
Paul Merson -327 caps, 78 goals
Paul Merson had a special mix of talent, style, and imagination.
He played a big role in George Graham’s team that won the championship in 1989 and 1991. Fans loved him because he could break through defenses and create amazing moments on the field.
Starting from the 1989-90 season, Merson always wore the number 10 as a starter.
So, when they started using squad numbers for the 1993 Cup finals and the 1993-94 season, it was an easy decision to give him the number 10.
Two years later, he won another title and was part of a successful cup team under George Graham in the early 1990s. The fans at Highbury loved his creativity, style, and infectious personality.
Merson faced addiction problems in the mid-1990s, which affected his game.
But after getting therapy, he made a strong comeback and earned his place back in the England national team. In a surprising move, he left Arsenal and joined Middlesbrough in 1997.
He did it because he wanted both financial security and a chance to keep playing football at a high level.
Robin van Persie – 194 caps, 96 goals
Robin van Persie’s incredible performances during his time at Arsenal left fans in awe.
He was a fantastic all-around striker, capable of scoring goals with finesse and power. Wearing the number 10 jersey, he created many unforgettable moments.
After the previous number 10 left, Dutch striker Robin van Persie took over. It was a huge change in the way squad numbers were used, as he had previously worn the number 11 since joining Feyenoord in 2004.
Van Persie had some injuries early on, but in the 2010-11 season, he had his best performance yet, scoring 18 goals in 25 league games.
He carried that excellent form into the next season, winning the Premier League Golden Boot with 30 goals in 38 matches. He also became the captain after Cesc Fàbregas returned to Barcelona.
In the following season, 2012-13, van Persie again won the Golden Boot.
However, he had moved to Manchester United by then because he wanted to win trophies. He left Arsenal behind to pursue his ambitions.
Mesut Ozil -184 caps, 33 goals
Mesut Ozil’s recent experiences have resulted in a somewhat disappointing end to his seven-and-a-half-year tenure at Arsenal.
Despite initially showing great promise, his time at the club ultimately fell short of expectations.
When Ozil joined Arsenal in 2013, he brought his exceptional vision and creativity to the team. Renowned for his ability to deliver precise assists, he stood out as a remarkable number 10 on the field.
Prior to joining Arsenal, Ozil had already worn the number 10 at Real Madrid, making the switch from number 23 in the 2011-12 season.
Ozil’s signing was seen as a significant move by Arsenal, as they aimed to regain their status among the elite clubs.
However, his Premier League journey had its ups and downs. He achieved success by winning the FA Cup in his debut season and lifting the trophy two more times under Arsene Wenger.
His standout season came in 2015/16 when he was named Arsenal’s Player of the Year.
He came incredibly close to equaling the Premier League’s all-time single-season assist record and set a new record for chances created in a campaign.
Under the management of Unai Emery and later Mikel Arteta, Ozil struggled to fit into their tactical plans. Following the initial Covid-19 lockdown in the spring of 2020, he did not feature in any games for Arsenal.
Jack Wilshere – 125 caps, 7 goals
A player nurtured by Arsenal’s prestigious youth academy perfectly embodied the values of the club. He possessed remarkable skills, exceptional vision, and an unwavering spirit that endeared him to Arsenal fans when he proudly wore the number 10 jersey.
Wilshere had a breakout season to remember in 2010-11, impressively donning the number 19 shirt. Unfortunately, his journey took a detour when he suffered a severe ankle injury in the summer of 2011, forcing him to miss the entire following season.
However, Arsène Wenger, the manager at the time, preferred to deploy him in a deeper role whenever he was fit.
Wilshere seemed destined to become the cornerstone of the Arsenal team, a technically gifted playmaker who excelled at receiving the ball and creating opportunities for his teammates.
His standout performance against Barcelona as a 19-year-old is etched in memory, where he fearlessly took on one of the world’s most revered midfield, moving past challenges and exerting an influence that defied his tender age.
Regrettably, Wilshere’s playing time was limited to just three games in the 2015-16 season, during which Arsenal finished as runners-up to Leicester City. He then spent the subsequent season on loan at Bournemouth.
In the 2017-18 season, Wilshere made a triumphant comeback, featuring in 38 games across various competitions.
Although there were other notable highlights in his career, including winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award and receiving two BBC Goal of the Season accolades, Wilshere’s progress was hindered by a series of unfortunate injuries.
William Gallas – 101 caps, 12 goals
Although majorly known as a defender, William Gallas surprised everyone by wearing the number 10 jersey during the 2006/2007 season.
It was an unusual choice for a player in his position, but Gallas showed that he could adapt and contribute to the team.
Instead of giving the number 10 to a striker following Dennis Bergkamp’s departure, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger decided to assign it to a player in a different role.
He had done something similar in 1998 when he gave Fredrik Ljungberg the number 8 previously worn by Ian Wright.
It was unexpected when Arsenal’s new number 10 turned out to be a center-back, William Gallas, who joined from Chelsea in a swap deal involving Ashley Cole just before the end of the summer 2006 transfer window.
However, Gallas wasn’t the first center-back to wear the number 10 for Arsenal. Steve Bould had previously done so in a memorable game at Anfield in May 1989.
Gallas performed decently in his first season, but it surprised many when Wenger made him the captain after Thierry Henry left in the summer of 2007.
However, his leadership abilities were questioned after a famous incident at Birmingham City where he protested by sitting on the ground when a late penalty was awarded against Arsenal.
He was later stripped of the captaincy in late 2008 for criticizing his teammates in an interview. Cesc Fàbregas took over as captain, but Gallas stayed with the club until the end of the 2009-10 season before joining Tottenham Hotspur.
Doug Lishman -226 caps, 125 goals
Although Doug Lishman’s tenure at Arsenal predates the modern era, his impact as a prolific goal-scorer cannot be ignored. Lishman’s lethal finishing and remarkable consistency in front of goal earned him a place among Arsenal’s No.10 legends.
He was a highly successful striker who played from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s.
During his time with the Gunners, he netted an impressive total of 137 goals in 244 games, averaging more than a goal every other match.
Lishman held the title of Arsenal’s leading goalscorer for five consecutive seasons from 1951 to 1955 and played a crucial role in helping the club secure the Division One title in 1953.
Prior to his football career, Lishman served in the Royal Marine Commandos during the Second World War and actively participated in the Walcheren Island landing in Holland.
He was initially signed by Arsenal as a replacement for the injury-prone Reg Lewis in the forward position.
However, Lishman faced issues during his first two seasons at the club. Despite these setbacks, he managed to score 21 goals in 37 games during that period.
Unfortunately, he missed out on the 1950 FA Cup final, where Arsenal emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Liverpool, courtesy of Lewis’ two goals.
In the 1952 FA Cup final against Newcastle, Lishman was only just declared fit to play.
Unfortunately, Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat in unfortunate circumstances after Wally Barnes’ injury left the team with just 10 players for 55 minutes. Despite the efforts of an exhausted Arsenal, Newcastle’s George Robledo scored a decisive header, and the Gunners were unable to respond.
However, both the team and Lishman made a strong comeback in the 1952/53 season, winning the league based on goal average ahead of Preston North End.
George Graham -227 caps, 60 goals
While not a player in the traditional sense, George Graham’s achievements as both a player and a manager cannot be overlooked.
Arsenal team was in search of a replacement for Joe Baker and in turn get Graham.
He made his debut in 1966, in a home match against Leicester City. Despite the 4-2 defeat, he quickly established himself as a regular starter for Arsenal.
Initially playing as a center forward, he emerged as the club’s top scorer in both the 1966-67 and 1967-68 seasons. However, he later transitioned to midfield, becoming an inside forward while John Radford moved from the wing to the central striker position.
During his time at Arsenal, Graham reached the finals of the League Cup in 1968 and 1969, finishing as a runner-up on both occasions.
He finally secured a medal by winning the 1969-70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. His success continued as a big part of Arsenal’s Double-winning team in the 1970-71 season.
After retiring as a player, Graham transitioned into management and had a successful stint as the manager of Arsenal.
He took charge of the club from 1986 to 1995, winning two league titles (1988-89 and 1990-91), an FA Cup (1992-93), and a League Cup (1986-87).
Graham’s tenure at Arsenal was marked by a disciplined and defensively solid approach, earning him the reputation of being a tactically astute manager.
Kevin Campbell -163 caps, 46 goals
Campbell’s journey started at Arsenal, where he joined as a trainee in 1985.
His talent quickly became evident as he excelled in the Arsenal Academy, scoring an impressive 59 goals in a single season.
Campbell’s first taste of first-team action came on 7 May 1988 when he made his debut against Everton. However, at that time, the forward positions were primarily occupied by the likes of Paul Merson and Alan Smith.
Despite the competition, Campbell’s talent shone through.
A standout moment in Campbell’s early career came when he scored a remarkable hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup final, contributing to Arsenal’s victory.
His influence continued to grow as he played a crucial role in Arsenal’s success, including winning both the FA Cup and the Coca-Cola Cup in 1993. Campbell’s contributions were instrumental in Arsenal’s triumph in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
Campbell’s journey at Arsenal proved his exceptional abilities and his impact on the team’s success.
From his prolific scoring record in the Academy to his vital role in winning various trophies, Campbell’s talent and dedication were evident throughout his time at the club.
Charlie George -133 caps, 31 goals
A local lad from the heart of Highbury, grew up watching Arsenal from the stands.
He made his debut against Everton in the first match of the 1969/70 season and scored his first goal two games later against West Bromwich Albion.
However, George’s disciplinary issues marred his initial campaign, resulting in a three-month stint in the reserves. He returned to the first team, proving his prodigious talent and playing a big role as the Gunners clinched the European Fairs Cup.
His arrival brought an unprecedented swagger to Bertie Mee’s trophy-seeking team.
His remarkable impact in his debut season generated immense anticipation for the following year. It was not a matter of if he would excel, but rather how extraordinary his performances would be.
Unfortunately, disaster struck. During the opening league match against Goodison Park, Charlie suffered a heartbreaking injury – a broken ankle that sidelined him until the start of the new year.
Upon his return, George found himself displaced by Ray Kennedy in the forward position. However, his skills and incredible creativity allowed him to thrive in his new role as an attacking midfielder.
From there, he added an extra dimension to Mee’s team, culminating in the ultimate triumph at Wembley in May 1971.
His heroics in the FA Cup should have set the stage for a legendary career.
Sadly, inconsistency, due to a series of niggling injuries, hindered his progress, and his brilliance only appeared sporadically. As the Double-winning team disbanded, Arsenal’s fortunes declined, and George became one of the departing players.
Other Notable Arsenal Players To Have Worn The N0 10 Jersey
- Alan Smith
- David Court
- Steve Bould
- David Price
- Smith Rowe
Wrapping it up
The number 10 jersey has been worn by some of the club’s greatest talents, each leaving their own unique imprint.
Whether through goals, creativity, or sheer determination, these players have etched their names on Arsenal’s history sands.
You Might Also Want To Read This
- 10 Best Chelsea Players Who Have Worn The No.10 Jersey 2023
- France’s 10 Best Players To Wear The No.10 Jersey
- Italy’s 10 Best Players To Wear The No. 10 Jersey
- Brazil’s 10 Best Players To Wear The No.10 Jersey
- 7 Great Ways To Get Your Kids Prepared For A Soccer Club
- 10 Best Portable Soccer Goals To Buy In 2023
- 10 Best Soccer Referee Stopwatches 2023
- Germany’s 10 Best Players To Wear The No. 10 Jersey
