Picking Arsenal’s four greatest players of all time is almost impossible.
The club’s history is packed with icons who helped shape different eras, from title-winning captains to world-class goalscorers and once-in-a-generation talents.
Ask 10 supporters to name their Arsenal Mount Rushmore, and you will probably get 10 different answers.
Bukayo Saka has now had his say on the debate, and one Arsenal legend – Patrick Vieira – may feel a little unlucky to have been left out.
Which Arsenal legend should get a statue outside the Emirates Stadium next?
Bukayo Saka snubs Patrick Vieira while naming Arsenal’s four greatest players
Saka has grown up surrounded by Arsenal history.
Long before he became the face of the club, he was a young supporter hearing stories about the Invincibles, Thierry Henry’s brilliance and the legendary figures who turned Arsenal into one of England’s biggest clubs.
That is why his opinion carries a bit more weight than most.
Unlike many supporters, Saka has also spent years learning from former Arsenal players who regularly visit the club and share their experiences.
When asked to name his Arsenal Mount Rushmore, there were a few names everyone expected to hear.
Henry was always going to be there, while Bergkamp felt like another certainty given his influence on the club and the Premier League as a whole. Tony Adams’ place was difficult to argue against too after everything he achieved in north London.
The other spot, however, was where things became interesting. Many supporters may have expected Vieira to make the cut, but instead, Saka opted for another iconic name.
When asked to name his Mount Rushmore, Saka said on Complex Sports: “Thierry, Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright and probably Tony Adams.”
Where does Bukayo Saka rank among these Arsenal legends?
Patrick Vieira is probably the biggest omission from Bukayo Saka’s list
There is no wrong answer when discussing Arsenal’s greatest-ever players. However, leaving Vieira out is guaranteed to spark debate.
The Frenchman captained the Invincibles, dominated Premier League midfields for years and was the heartbeat of Arsene Wenger’s greatest side.
Many supporters would argue that he is one of the two or three most important players in Arsenal’s entire history.
That said, it is difficult to complain about Wright getting the nod. The legendary striker is still Arsenal’s second highest goalscorer and remains a very popular figure at the club.
Someone was always going to miss out, but if there is one name Arsenal fans will be most surprised not to see on Saka’s Mount Rushmore, it is probably Vieira.
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