Such is the sheer amount of world class players to have played for Arsenal in the Premier League – some of which went invincible in the 2003/04 season – there have been a few that have been forced out of the spotlight and consigned to the ‘underrated tag’.
It’s natural for players to go under the radar at a side like Arsenal, however; the club is simply that big. In the successful years of Arsene Wenger, in particular, the Gunners had such superstars as Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, with the remainder of the squad left flying under the radar. But, if you took a deeper look, you would have noticed that plenty of underrated aces would have done just as much of the heavy lifting.
We’re here to shed light on those underrated players, too, with our list of Arsenal’s most underrated players of the Premier League era.
10) Nacho Monreal
Though Nacho Monreal didn’t play for Arsenal in their most successful period under Wenger, the left-back was a reliable option as the Gunners picked up domestic trophies and consistently finished inside the Champions League places.
For several years, the Spaniard was Mr. Reliable at The Emirates for what was an occasionally struggling Arsenal side.
Indeed, he made over 250 appearances for the club, appearing in multiple finals along the way.
A dependable hand in a relatively poor side.
9) Olivier Giroud
This one may shock a few, as some will have Olivier Giroud at the opposite side of the underrated spectrum.
But, we believe that the Frenchman deserves to be held in a higher regard at Arsenal after scoring 105 goals for the club, which included a scorpion kick. He then further proved his quality at Chelsea, and for France internationally.
One has to wonder if Giroud would be more highly thought of had he played in a better team.
However, he did win three FA Cups at Arsenal, and that cannot be sniffed at.
8) Kevin Campbell
When you’re the strike partner of Ian Wright, you’re bound to find a place on this list. And that’s the case for Kevin Campbell, who was, of course, never given the same credit as his legendary partner.
Campbell wasn’t exactly shy in front of goal, himself, however, with 52 in 193 appearances to his name for the Gunners.
He actually came through the ranks at the Gunners, but he is perhaps better known for his spell with Everton, where he played between 1999 and 2005.
Still, a top player who scored plenty of goals for the Gunners.
7) Santi Cazorla
We were gutted when Santi Cazorla left Arsenal and was very nearly forced to retire through injury. In North London, the Spanish midfielder was simply magic.
He could do it, and with both feet, too. Yet, despite how much he is loved at the club, we can’t help but think that the rest of the Premier League doesn’t rate him nearly high enough – something that needs to change.
Indeed, he won two FA Cups at Arsenal, and was also a member of the famed Spain side that won two European Championships.
You don’t get to do that if you’re not very good.
6) Lukas Podolski
If a meteor was colliding with earth, we’d trust the left foot of Lukas Podolski to sweetly connect with it on the volley to clear.
That thunderbolt of his was absolutely unstoppable; he remains one of the best strikers of the ball that we’ve ever seen in the Premier League, yet also one of the most underrated players.
He may have only won one FA Cup during his stint with the Gunners, but he remains an iconic figure, both for his personality and his on-field shenanigans.
He’s one of the players that really understood what it meant to play for Arsenal.
5) Edu Gaspar
Prior to his so-far successful time as technical director at Arsenal, Edu Gaspar was going under the radar as an important player at the club.
The former central midfielder made 127 appearances for the Gunners, and played a role in Arsenal’s 2003/04 invincible squad under Wenger.
It’s easy to forget that he was so good, because of the work that he’s doing now, but he is as decorated a member of the squad as the likes of Thierry Henry.
It’s time to give Edu his flowers.
4) Tomas Rosicky
If Podolski had a thunderbolt in his left foot, then Tomas Rosicky had the same power in his right boot.
The Czech Republic international famously struck an unstoppable effort in the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, but he was also responsible for one of the best Arsenal team goals, which came against Sunderland.
While he only won the FA Cup at Arsenal, it’s easy to see why he remains such an underrated player; his diminutive stature and knack for the pre-assist – the pass before the pass that leads to the goal – he’s very reminiscent of Mesut Ozil.
Still, a fantastic player.
3) Lauren
Whilst the likes of Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell received most of the credit in the Arsenal Invincibles’ back four, it was Lauren who was left incredibly underrated.
His work at right-back played a vital part under Wenger, as the Gunners won two Premier League titles with the Cameroon international at the back.
He was also named in the Premier League Team of the Year for the 2003/04 season, etching out a niche as the best right-back in the league.
Arsenal had him at his peak too, as he only played three more seasons after leaving, two for Portsmouth and one for Spanish side Cordoba.
2) Abou Diaby
If it wasn’t for injuries, then Abou Diaby may well have become one of the most successful midfielders to play under Wenger at Arsenal; he could do it all except stay fit for a prolonged period of time.
Though he has often been billed as a failed replacement for Patrick Vieira, the way Diaby moved with the ball was more elegant and careful, whilst he attempted to dictate games.
He did win the FA Cup in the 2013/14 season but Diaby saw his playing time brutally cut off by injuries. He eventually left Arsenal with 180 appearances to his name, but it could have been double that.
1) Gilberto Silva
When you’re sitting in midfield next to Vieira, the likelihood is that the spotlight will quickly turn into a shadow, but that didn’t stop Gilberto Silva from becoming a crucial part of the Arsenal Invincibles.
During his time at the North London club, Silva won two FA Cups, and one Premier League title in what was a very successful time in English football.
He remains one of the more underrated players of the entire generation, as he was largely the glue that kept that imposing Gunners midfield together.
But being Vieira’s partner, you can understand why that is.
So, there you have it, our list of Arsenal’s most underrated players of the Premier League era. Do you agree with our list? Or, do you believe that we’ve left some big names out? Let us know in the comments!
Mikel Arteta will be well aware of just how much potential and talent his current squad has. But, looking back on the best years under Wenger, it was those outside of the spotlight who allowed the stars the time to take centre-stage.
Finding players willing to play a role besides the protagonists may be crucial to Arsenal taking the next step in their current progression.