Arsenal have had plenty of pedigree in their ranks over the years, with some of the best players looking to spend the twilight of their careers at the club.
Some of those are club legends who have spent their best years with the Gunners, while others have joined later on to help the team out.
While there are a lot of goalkeepers on the list, due to the position often having longevity over others, a few experienced stars did feature outfield too.
So with that said, here’s a look at the top ten oldest Arsenal players in the club’s long history.
10 – Lee Dixon – 38 years, 1 month and 24 days
Lee Dixon is the tenth oldest player to feature for Arsenal in their history, with the full-back just turning 38 before he made his last appearance for the club.
The right-back joined the Gunners in 1988 from Stoke City, making over 590 appearances in that 14 year spell.
Dixon won 12 trophies in north London, which included four Premier League titles, the final of which came in his last appearance.
That was against Everton in May 2002, where a 4-3 win confirmed the title for the club captain on the day.
9 – Frank Bradshaw – 38 years, 4 months and 26 days
Coming in at number nine is Frank Bradshaw, a centre-forward who featured for Arsenal from 1914 until 1923, when he eventually retired.
The forward was 38 when he featured in his final game, playing in a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United in October 1922.
8 – George Swindin – 38 years, 9 months and 4 days
At 38 years old, George Swindin is the eighth oldest player to feature for Arsenal in the club’s long history.
The goalkeeper signed for the Gunners in 1936 from Bradford and played until 1954 when he left to join Peterborough.
Swindin’s final appearance for Arsenal came in 1953 when he featured against Chelsea in a 2-1 defeat.
7 – Leslie Compton – 39 years, 7 months and 7 days
At 39 years old, former defender Leslie Compton is the seventh oldest player to play for Arsenal, with his final game coming in 1952.
The centre-back joined the club in 1930 and played for over 20 years, the last of which came in a 4-1 victory over Stoke City.
6 – David Seaman – 39 years, 7 months and 28 days
Arsenal legend David Seaman is well renowned for his time in north London, taking the role of first-choice goalkeeper for the latter half of his career.
The England international joined in 1990 from QPR, going on to make 546 appearances in 13 years with the Gunners.
Seaman won 12 trophies at Arsenal, including three Premier League titles and four FA Cups – the last of which came in his final appearance.
That last game was against Southampton in May 2003, where a 1-0 victory over the Saints ensured an ideal farewell for the 39-year-old.
5 – Joe Mercer – 39 years, 8 months and 1 day
Midfielder Joe Mercer is fifth in the all-time oldest Arsenal player list, having spent nine years at the club before retiring in 1955.
A final appearance came in April 1954 for the midfield star, where he featured against Liverpool in the old First Division.
4 – Pat Jennings – 39 years, 8 months and 25 days
Legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings is fourth, having been 39 when he made his final appearance for Arsenal.
The Northern Irish star joined the Gunners from rivals Tottenham in 1977, spending eight years between the sticks before returning to Spurs.
Jennings won an FA Cup with Arsenal and made almost 300 appearances for the club, cementing his space as one of the all-time greats.
His final appearance came in March 1985, which was a First Division match against Sunderland that ended 0-0.
3 – Jock Rutherford – 39 years, 11 months and 0 days
The oldest outfield player in Arsenal’s history was Jock Rutherford, who was just one month away from turning 40 when he last played.
A right-winger, Rutherford had two spells for the Gunners – featuring from 1913 to 1923 and 1923 to 1926.
In his final appearance, he scored an equaliser against Newcastle away, securing a draw in the First Division back in September 1924.
2 – John Lukic – 39 years, 11 months and 0 days
Goalkeeper John Lukic almost hit the 40 mark too, featuring for Arsenal for the final time just one month before his birthday.
The shot-stopper had two spells with the club, the first from 1983 until 1990, where he left to rejoin Leeds United, and the second from 1996 until 2001.
The Englishman won a First Division title and a Premier League title with the Gunners, along with an FA Cup, EFL Cup and a Community Shield.
Lukic’s final match, his 259th appearance for Arsenal, came in November 2000 against Derby County in the Premier League – which ended 0-0.
1 – Jens Lehmann – 41 years, 5 months and 0 days
The leader of the all-time list of oldest Arsenal players is Jens Lehmann and by some distance too, with the goalkeeper aged 41 in his final appearance.
The German star joined the Gunners in 2003 as a replacement for Seaman and he impressed during his spell at the club.
A Premier League title and FA Cup followed for him before he left in 2008, but a return in 2010 saw him become part of the squad once again.
Lehmann’s final appearance was in April 2011, when he featured against Blackpool in the Premier League one last time.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
