Ranking the 5 best Arsenal central defenders of all-time

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<p>&mdash; Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1343557817119035393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>December 28, 2020</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>In 1970, he would lead the Gunners to a European Fairs Cup win over Anderlecht, and the following season was named Arsenal captain as the club completed the double (league title and FA Cup).</p> <p>McLintock was also named the Football Writers&#8217; Association&#8217;s Footballer of the Year in 1971<br /> In total, McLintock made 314 league appearances for Arsenal and is a true champion of the club.</p> <p><em>Continued on next slide&#8230;</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span>&nbsp;Arsenal&#039;s Greatest Ever Central Defenders #4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_127503" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-127503 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1264,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F2517323.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1264" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/2517323.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/2517323-768x607.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Martin Keown of Arsenal shows his feelings at Ruud Van Nistelrooy of Man Utd after Van Nistelrooy missed his penalty during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on September 21, 2003 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>4. Martin Keown</h2> <p>One of the first players of the modern era to give Arsenal that tough, winning mentality. Such was his nature; Keown would often relish the physical battles with hulking centre forwards and leave them in his wake.</p> <p>Keown wasn’t only was he physically imposing, but he was ridiculously quick for a defender, too. He also had an insane, tactical mind as he would position himself in such a way on the pitch that often made it seem impossible to get past him.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ruud van Nistelrooy missing a penalty and Martin Keown getting in his face post match sums up the Manchester United &amp; Arsenal rivalry! <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUNARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#MUNARS</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://t.co/nBZ2XkzkOm">pic.twitter.com/nBZ2XkzkOm

<p>— Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1178655987009511424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 30, 2019</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Few scarred the opposition quite like Keown in his two decades of playing in north London.</p> <p>Because of his leadership from the back, he played an integral part in his fair share of Arsenal glories. Three league titles and three FA Cups for Arsenal’s mentality monster in 449 appearances in all competitions.</p> <p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal's Great Ever Central Defenders #3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_127504" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-127504 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1456,w_1530/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F55724017.jpeg" alt="" width="1530" height="1456" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/55724017.jpeg 1530w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/55724017-768x731.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1530px) 100vw, 1530px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1530px;">London, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal’s Sol Campbell celebrates his second goal during their Premiership match against Everton at home to Arsenal at Highbury football grounds in London, 19 September 2005. (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>3. Sol Campbell</h2> <p>Who can remember the day that Arsene Wenger walked out with Tottenham Hotspur player Sol Campbell and not Richard Wright, who many thought the Gunners were announcing had signed with the club? Good times.</p> <p>Even though Campbell had a rather short stay in north London, he is arguably one of the most gifted athletes to ever play for the club. His pace, physicality, and his huge frame made him a seriously tough opponent. He only played five years with Arsenal, but during that time, it was trophy-ladened.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">2001 July 3, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arsenal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#Arsenal</a> sign Sol Campbell… from Spurs 😂 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://t.co/T1SewuZKfs">pic.twitter.com/T1SewuZKfs

<p>— Arsenal History From Highbury To The Emirates (@4949Undefeted) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://twitter.com/4949Undefeted/status/1544023495507677185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 4, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Some likely think he is placed too high on the list, but given what he accomplished during the 2003/04 season has him at number three. He was, without doubt, the backbone of the Arsenal defense alongside a youthful Kolo Toure as the Gunners secured the league title by going the entire league season without a defeat.</p> <p>The Invincibles were made in part to Campbell’s marshaling of the defense as his physical style and pace often made him an intimidating presence on the field. Campbell won two league titles and an FA Cup during his time with the club.</p> <p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal's Great Ever Central Defenders #2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_127505" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-127505 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2141,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F74183235.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2141" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/74183235.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/74183235-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Arsenal defender David O’Leary in action during a Canon League game against Liverpool at Highbury, London, 8th September 1984. Arsenal won the match 3-1. (Photo by Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>2. David O’Leary</h2> <p>If there ever was a player who showed what hard work and dedication could get you, despite not being the most gifted or the smartest player on the pitch, David O’Leary was it. His loyalty to the club saw him play a club record of 722 matches in red and white.</p> <p>He was a consistent customer for the best part of two decades, and even when father time started calling and the younger players took his spot, he didn’t sook or moan but worked even harder to fight for his place.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/991642263368368128?s=20&amp;t=5Tqkz3dTG4UMzQpFS7w-Cg</p> <p>Originally a central defender, due to his persistence, he was shifted out to right-back for the latter stages of his career, and it worked wonders. Never one for throwing in the towel, true dedication to his craft earns him the number two spot on the list.</p> <p>Oh, and he also won his fair share of trophies, too, six in fact. Two league titles, along with two FA Cups and two League cups.</p> <p>He was a true blue-collar player, who was never the centre of attention or the headline grabber, but who went about his business in the background and carved a superb career built off the back of extremely hard work.</p> <p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal's Great Ever Central Defender </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_127506" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-127506 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1115,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F51526576.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1115" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/51526576.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/51526576-768x535.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal’s Captain Tony Adams salutes the crowd during the game against Sunderland in the Premier League match at Highbury in London 30 March 2002. Adams playing his 500th league gam, captained his team to a 3-0 victory. AFP PHOTO Adrian DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>1. Tony Adams</h2> <p>Who else but Mr Arsenal himself? Tony Adams was everything fans wanted in a player and captain. He had the talent, the drive, the leadership, was physically gifted, and was the ultimate motivator.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_127502" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>He is regarded by many as the greatest captain the club has ever had, and it’s hard to argue against that. 669 appearances for the club over nearly two decades, he also helped himself when going forward, scoring 48 goals.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/TheN5News/status/1483520904097378309?s=20&amp;t=5Tqkz3dTG4UMzQpFS7w-Cg</p> <p>A true defender in every sense of the word. Tough, hard, gritty, and he never gave in. Adams was always the player teammates turned to when things got tough, and more often than not, he was the shining light that brought the team forward.</p> <p>During his time with the Gunners, Adams was a serial winner. Four league titles, two League Cups, three FA Cups, and a European Cup Winners’ Cup for good measure.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">This brings a tear to the eye!</p> <p>You forget just how special Highbury was and how special Mr Arsenal was to the fans!</p> <p>Just listen to the noise of 38,000 gooners singing One Tony Adams! I’ll never get over leaving our home! <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://t.co/cmyYKP11EQ">pic.twitter.com/cmyYKP11EQ

<p>— Clockend Gooner (@ClockendGooner3) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://twitter.com/ClockendGooner3/status/1315013786357706752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 10, 2020</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>It is highly unlikely we will ever see a defender like Tony Adams again. He was superb in everything he did, both on and off the pitch. If you look up the word leader in the dictionary, a picture of Tony Adams will be right alongside it.</p> <p>When the team has a statue of you outside the Emirates Stadium, you know you have done okay in your career. Adams did more than that; he was legendary.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="vQGAwR2UQ8"><p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/08/ranking-5-best-arsenal-full-backs-all-time/">Ranking the 5 best Arsenal full-backs of all-time</a></p></blockquote> <p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/09/ranking-5-best-arsenal-central-defenders-time/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/08/ranking-5-best-arsenal-full-backs-all-time/embed/#?secret=vQGAwR2UQ8" data-secret="vQGAwR2UQ8" width="500" height="282" title="“Ranking the 5 best Arsenal full-backs of all-time” — Pain in the Arsenal" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div> <p>Mr Arsenal is the club’s greatest ever centre-back.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">