Manuel Almunia, 1
When Manuel Almunia joined Arsenal in 2004, he was another relative unknown on these shores, having only really carved out the career of a journeyman for himself in Spain, being part of seven different clubs. Few predicted that he would stick around with Arsenal for much longer than a year or two, and a number of high-profile blunders will not have helped raise him in the esteem of the fans....
Abou Diaby, 2
Few players at Arsenal have more pressure on them to perform in the 2008/09 season than Abou Diaby. After a bright start to his career, following a January 2006 transfer from French club Rennes, he suffered a horrific ankle injury just four months later, caused by a brutal challenge from Sunderland's Dan Smith. By that time however, whispered comparisons had already been made between Diaby,...
Bacary Sagna, 3
Conventional wisdom dictates that players from foreign leagues take at least six months to adapt when they arrive in the Premiership, if they manage to do so at all. However, it seems that conventional wisdom just does not apply in the case of Bacary Sagna. Another enigmatic signing in the summer of 2007, with right-back seemingly being the least of our worries, but it took only a handful of...
Francesc Fabregas, 4 (Captain)
Undeniably the jewel in Arsenal's crown, much rests on the shoulders of the young Catalan. Since the sale of Patrick Vieira in 2005, Arsène Wenger has made Fabregas the linchpin of his new Arsenal side and despite the pressure heaped upon him, 'Cesc' has risen admirably to the challenge. Adding goals to an ever-impressive passing game, in 2007/08 he finally looked to make the step up from...
Kolo Touré, 5
It's hard to believe that Kolo Touré is now the longest-serving member of the Arsenal first team. When an unknown utility midfielder arrived for the paltry sum of £150,000 from Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, there are not many who can claim to have predicted that we'd managed to find the player who would go on to become such a stalwart of the Arsenal backline. But, such is the talent of Arsène...
Tomas Rosicky, 7
Signed for Arsenal in May 2006, Tomas Rosicky was signed as a replacement for the exiting Robért Píres, also inheriting Píres' number 7 shirt. A playmaker blessed with incredible natural talent, Rosicky had an impressive World Cup scoring two goals in the Czech's win over the USA. Rosicky signed for previous club Borussia Dortmund in 2001, a year after starring in the Champions League with...
Samir Nasri, 8
To follow.
Eduardo, 9
Croatian international striker Eduardo Da Silva has finalised the terms of his transfer to Arsenal from Dinamo Zagreb on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The zippy Brazilian born striker bolsters an Arsenal strike force recovering from the loss of Thierry Henry.
William Gallas, 10
The former Chelsea stalwart was a controversial choice for club captain following the departure of Thierry Henry, however he seems to have grown into the role well and relishing the prospect of being the motivating force for his young team. As a player, Gallas is an experienced and assured defender - more comfortable in the centre of defence, yet capable of playing in any position in the...
Robin van Persie, 11
Definitely one of the most skillful and technically brilliant players on our books, Robin van Persie looks like a young man with big things ahead of him. He came to Arsenal with a huge amount of both talent and ego but is starting to settle down now and we're starting to see the best of him. After coming to Arsenal with a 'bad-boy' reputation, van Persie struggled with his role on the bench...
Carlos Vela, 12
Promising teenage prodigy signed for an undisclosed fee.
Theo Walcott, 14
Many have predicted a big year for the pacey young forward, and in given the physical frailties of the players in front of him, whether or not Theo Walcott can perform consistently could be one of the key success factors for the whole season. Arsène Wenger can have given him no higher vote of confidence than to hand him Thierry Henry's vacated no. 14 shirt, and, whilst further comparison's...
Denilson, 15
Denilson is a talented young player from Sao Paulo with big things ahead of him. He was a surprise signing on the last day of the transfer window in August 2006 and many expected him to make up squad numbers. However he has impressed for Arsenal thus far - making assured appearances in the heart of the Arsenal engine room and drawing comparisons to another young central midfielder - Cesc...
Aaron Ramsey, 16
Promising attacking midfielder signed for an undisclosed fee from Cardiff City.
Alex Song, 17
Alex Song is yet another young prospect plucked from the obscurities of French club football by Arsène Wenger. Physically built like a monster, Song unfortunately seems to suffer from a lack of motivation on the pitch and his lackadaisical efforts have become legendary. He actually didn't do too badly during his loan period last season at Charlton - but its difficult to see what Wenger sees...
Mikael Silvestre, 18
Many an eyebrow was raised at the surprise signing of Mikael Silvestre - after 9 trophy-littered seasons at arch-rivals Manchester Utd, few expected the versatile defender to make the switch to the Emirates. However, after a knee ligament injury ruled him out of the majority of the 2007/08 campaign, in which the the Manchester Utd back line asserted it's dominance, Silvestre went in search of a...
Jack Wilshere, 19
To follow.
Johan Djourou, 20
Johan Djourou is a talented young central defender with great things ahead of him. Ivorian born, but Swiss by nationality, Djourou made rapid progress last season with many appearances for the first team. His impressive displays led to his call-up into the Swiss side which played in the 2006 World Cup. There, he made several appearances which will bode well for the future. He and Philippe...
Lukasz Fabianski, 21
Polish international goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has signed for Arsenal from Legia Warsaw on a long term contract for an undisclosed fee.
Gaël Clichy, 22
Ashley Who? If the arrival of William Gallas wasn't enough to help Arsenal fans cope with the shame of Cashley's departure to Chelsea, the emergence of Gaël Clichy most certainly will have many fans positively delighted to see the back of him. In an almost seamless transition at the back, Gaël picked up where Ashley left off with his marauding runs down the left hand side, and as much...
Emmanuel Adebayor, 25
Emmanuel Adebayor is a Togolese striker who joined Arsenal in January of 2006. He has been likened to the ex-Gunner Kanu because of his style of play and gangly movements on the pitch. Adebayor has chosen the number 25 shirt because he idolises Kanu, who wore the shirt before him. Adebayor started his career with French club Metz before falling out with the coach and being transfer listed....
Nicklas Bendtner, 26
The big Dane with the big ambition, Nicklas Bendtner never seems to miss an opportunity to talk up his talent and desire to break into the first team. And, considering the performances he's put in as a substitute, including a winning strike against Spurs, and on the occasional start, it's becoming more and more difficult to disagree with him - indeed, he's already established himself as a...
Emmanuel Eboue, 27
After bursting onto the scene in the 2005/06 Champions League campaign, few players in the current Arsenal squad have attracted as much controversy as the pacey Ivorian. Blistering displays at right-back against the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus saw him being hailed from some quarters as among the best in the world in his position. However he began to falter in his second season, both...
Amaury Bischoff, 28
An enigma wrapped up in a mystery tied together with a riddle. That's the only thing that can really be said about new signing Amaury Bischoff, who joins Arsenal as an almost completely unknown quantity. In true Arsenal style, his origins are cosmopolitan - his mother is Portuguese (who he has represented at U21 level), whilst his father shares Arsène Wenger's French / Alsatian heritage. ...
Armand Traore, 30
The latest highly promising left-back from the Arsenal production line, in the Clichy and Cole mould. Still only seventeen, Traore has shown huge promise in his appearances so far this season - and could be pushing Gaël Clichy for a first team spot very soon.
Justin Hoyte, 31
Justin Hoyte has risen up the youth ranks at Arsenal to be on the fringes of the first team. He can ply his trade at right-back, and has also recently made appearances at left-back. The son of an Olympic sprinter, it is easy to say that pace is an important part of his game. Defensively, he can suffer from lapses of concentration, but can usually make up for it with a lightning fast...
