Longevity is something you don’t really see in football these days. Arsene Wenger’s departure from Arsenal brought an end to that on the managerial front, but it’s no different with players as well in the modern game.
Playing for multiple clubs in different countries is the new ambition for most. Gone are the days where representing one club throughout a player’s career was a sign of strength. The Tony Adams’ of the past era are mostly gone today.
A list of Arsenal’s highest appearance makers show just how difficult it is for players to keep playing for a big club at a really high level for years and years. Not one Gunner from the past 15 years makes it into the top 10.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Arsenal’s all-time appearance makers
David O’Leary
722
Tony Adams
669
George Armstrong
621
Lee Dixon
619
Nigel Winterburn
584
David Seaman
564
Pat Rice
528
Peter Storey
501
John Radford
481
Peter Simpson
477
Among the current players, Hector Bellerin has made the most appearances for Arsenal with 284. He’ll need to stay here for a few more years to break into the top 10, but that’s highly unlikely.
Granit Xhaka has played 220 times for the Gunners in all competitions, but he, like Bellerin, isn’t expected to stick around for a lot longer.
The top 10 is unlikely to be touched anytime soon but Arsenal fans will be hoping to see our young stars attempt to crack the list. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe can easily get there, but it will take a long, long time.
