Arsenal Players – Current Squad, History & All-Time Greats

Arsenal Football Club, founded in 1886, has a rich history of fielding some of the most talented footballers in the world. From the invincible squad of 2003/04 to the current generation led by Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, the club’s player roster spans multiple eras, teams, and accomplishments. This article provides a fact-based overview of the current Arsenal first-team squad for the 2025/26 season, the women’s team, all-time greats, former players, and key statistics.

Whether you are looking for the latest squad numbers, the all-time top scorer, or a breakdown of the women’s team roster, the following sections rely on official sources and verified databases. Complete men’s squad details for 2025/26 are partially available, and injury updates can change rapidly.

Who Are the Current Arsenal First-Team Players for 2025/26?

Category	Value
Current First Team	28 players, Squad numbers 1–41 (2025/26)
Women’s Team	22-player senior squad (2025/26)
All-Time Appearances Leader	David O’Leary (722 apps)
All-Time Top Scorer	Thierry Henry (228 goals)

Key Insights

Arsenal has produced 65+ unique nationalities in their player history, reflecting global recruitment.
David O’Leary holds the all-time appearances record (722), a club legend from 1975–1993.
The current squad (2025/26) integrates academy graduates like Bukayo Saka with expensive transfers.
The Arsenal women’s team maintains one of the highest average attendance figures in the Women’s Super League.
Mariona Caldentey was named the 2024/25 Player of the Season in the women’s team.
Seven Arsenal women’s players were nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin after winning the Champions League.

Snapshot Facts

Metric	Value
Founded	1886
Home Ground	Emirates Stadium
Manager (Men’s)	Mikel Arteta
Manager (Women’s)	Jonas Eidevall
Total All-Time Players	900+
Active Nationalities in Current Squad	12

The official men’s first-team squad list for 2025/26, as published on Arsenal.com, includes squad numbers from 1 to 41. Partial data shows David Raya (No. 1), William Saliba (2), Cristhian Mosquera (3), Ben White (4), Gabriel (6), Bukayo Saka (7), Martin Ødegaard (8), and an unnamed forward at No. 9. The full list with positions and nationalities is available on the official club site.

What Is the Arsenal Women’s Team Squad?

The Arsenal Women’s team for the 2025/26 season consists of a 22-player senior squad. Below is a positional breakdown based on data from WSL Football and UEFA.

Goalkeepers

Daphne van Domselaar (Netherlands, No. 14)
Anneke Borbe (Germany, No. 28)
Marta Zinsberger (Austria, No. 1)

Defenders

Leah Williamson (England, No. 6)
Steph Catley (Australia, No. 7)
Emily Fox (USA)
Lotte Wubben-Moy (England, No. 3)
Laia Codina (Spain, No. 5)
Katie Reid (England, No. 26)
Smilla Holmberg (Sweden, No. 31)
Taylor Hinds (England, No. 24)

Midfielders

Kim Little (Scotland, No. 10)
Mariona Caldentey (Spain, No. 8)
Kyra Cooney-Cross (Australia, No. 32)
Frida Maanum (Norway)
Victoria Pelova (Netherlands)
Sophie Harwood (England, No. 44)

Forwards

Alessia Russo (England, No. 23)
Chloe Kelly (England, No. 18)
Beth Mead (England, No. 9)
Caitlin Foord (Australia, No. 19)
Stina Blackstenius (Sweden, No. 25)
Olivia Smith (USA, No. 15)
Rosa Kafaji (Sweden)
Selina Cerci (Germany, No. 29)
Jessie Gale (England, No. 33)

Notable Recognition

Mariona Caldentey was named the 2024/25 Player of the Season. Seven Arsenal women’s players – Caldentey, Catley, Fox, Kelly, Maanum, Russo, and Williamson – were nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin.

Who Are the Best Arsenal Players of All Time?

Determining the best Arsenal players of all time often comes down to appearances, goals, and impact. According to Wikipedia’s list of Arsenal FC players, the statistical leaders are clear.

Most appearances: David O’Leary – 722 matches (1975–1993).
Top scorer: Thierry Henry – 228 goals.
Other iconic figures include Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, and Tony Adams, though precise career totals are available in the same Wikipedia listing.

All-Time Record

David O’Leary has played 722 times for Arsenal, more than any other player. Thierry Henry’s 228 goals remain the club’s highest tally.

Who Are the Former Arsenal Players (2000–2010)?

The period from 2000 to 2010 represents the peak of the “Wengerball” era, characterised by technical, fast-attacking football. Key players from that decade include Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fàbregas, and Robin van Persie. The 2003/04 “Invincibles” season, where Arsenal went unbeaten in the league, is the standout achievement. Full historical lineups for friendly matches during this period may vary by source.

Data Limitation

Exact match lineups for non-competitive games from 2000–2010 are not universally agreed upon. Official records from the Premier League and club archives are the most reliable authorities.

How Have Arsenal’s Squads Evolved Through the Decades?

2000–2010: Key players – Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fàbregas, Robin van Persie. Notable: The “Invincibles” season 2003/04.
2010–2020: Key players – Robin van Persie, Mesut Özil, Alexis Sánchez, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey. Notable: Last FA Cup win under Wenger (2017).
2020–present: Key players – Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Jesus, William Saliba, Declan Rice. Notable: Return to Champions League in 2023/24.

Statistical data for each era, such as top scorers and appearance counts, can be found on Transfermarkt and ESPN’s Arsenal squad page.

What Is Confirmed and What Is Still Uncertain About Arsenal Players?

Established Information	Unclear Information
Current squad list as published on Arsenal.com is the official source.	Injury status and return dates for specific players may change hour-by-hour.
All-time records (appearances, goals) are verified by the club and multiple statistical databases.	Transfers during the winter window may alter the squad list before official announcement.
The women’s senior squad roster for 2025/26 is confirmed by WSL Football and UEFA.	Historical lineups from 2000–2010 may vary by source for friendly matches.
David O’Leary holds the all-time appearances record with 722.	The exact number of all-time players (900+) is an estimate and may not include every reserve or youth call-up.

What Is the Context Behind Arsenal’s Squad Building?

Arsenal’s squad construction under Mikel Arteta shows a deliberate shift toward young, high-potential players combined with experienced internationals. The women’s team consistently challenges for the WSL title, with Beth Mead and former star Vivianne Miedema (now at Manchester City) recognised globally. Historical squads from 2000–2010 represent the peak of “Wengerball” – technical, fast-attacking football with a core of French and Spanish talent.

Arsenal has produced 65+ unique nationalities in its player history, reflecting a global recruitment strategy that has evolved over decades. The current integration of academy graduates like Bukayo Saka with expensive transfers illustrates a balanced approach to squad building.

Where Can You Find Reliable Information on Arsenal Players?

“Official source of the latest Arsenal FC Men’s First Team Squad.”

– Arsenal.com Official Squad

“David O’Leary has played 722 times for Arsenal, more than any other player.”

– Wikipedia “List of Arsenal FC Players”

“Explore the 2026-27 Arsenal roster with full details on appearances, minutes played, goals and assists.”

– ESPN FC Squad Data

What Is the Bottom Line for Arsenal Players in 2025?

The 2025/26 Arsenal squad includes a blend of established internationals and emerging talents across both the men’s and women’s teams. While the men’s squad numbers are partially known, the women’s roster is fully documented. All-time records remain with legends like David O’Leary and Thierry Henry. For the latest updates, official club sources and statistical platforms are the most reliable. For a comparison with other top footballers, see Sam Kerr – 2025 Current Team, Partner, Net Worth & Stats.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arsenal Players

Who is the current Arsenal captain?

Martin Ødegaard is the current men’s first-team captain (2025/26). Kim Little is the women’s team captain.

What formation does Arsenal primarily use?

Mikel Arteta typically uses a 4-3-3 formation, which can adapt to a 3-2-5 in possession.

How many Arsenal players have won the World Cup?

Over a dozen Arsenal players have won FIFA World Cup titles, including Cesc Fàbregas (Spain 2010) and Emmanuel Petit (France 1998).

Are there any Arsenal players from the 2000s still in the squad?

No. The longest-serving current player Bukayo Saka debuted in 2018. The last player from the 2000s was possibly David Seaman or Sol Campbell, who left by 2006.

How do I buy an Arsenal shirt with a player’s name?

Official customized shirts are available through Arsenal Direct and at the Armoury store at Emirates Stadium.

How many Arsenal players have played for the club all-time?

More than 900 players have represented Arsenal since the club’s founding in 1886.

Who is Arsenal’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League?

Thierry Henry holds the record with 175 Premier League goals for Arsenal.

Does Arsenal have an academy squad?

Yes, the Arsenal academy includes under-21 and under-18 teams. Hannah Paterson serves as the Academy Manager.

What is the current status of Christian Pulisic?

For an update on Christian Pulisic’s stats, age, club, and injuries, see Christian Pulisic – 2025 Stats, Age, Club and Injury Update.

Additional sources

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