Arsenal are back fighting at the top of the Premier League and are in the conversation for the Champions League, but it hasn’t always been quite as competitive in years gone by.
For Mikel Arteta, a resurgence with Hale End academy stars such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe helped build the foundations, while the emergence of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have only helped boost the side.
But while those stars have given hope for a return to the glory days of trophy lifts and cup triumphs, it hasn’t always been that easy.
Previous campaigns have seen Arsenal slogging it out in the Europa League and even mid-table in the Premier League without Europe to show for it.
From hapless strikers to calamity goalkeepers, we’ve put together a collection of players who could be in with a shout for the worst Arsenal XI for the 21st century.
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The worst Arsenal players of the last 25 years
Arsenal have had three managers in the last quarter of a century, with Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta taking charge.
In those times, there have been some far-from-ideal signings at the club, with a few players failing to impress.
Runar Alex Runarsson
The goalkeeper is hardly the easiest position on the pitch to play, with mistakes emphasised more there than in some other places.
For Runar Alex Runarsson, his couple of appearances for Arsenal didn’t come covered in glory when he was called upon.
The Iceland international will be mostly remembered for the mistake he made in the EFL Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City in 2020.
Runarsson let four slip beyond him, including a free-kick from Riyad Mahrez that slipped right through his hands.
He went on to stay at the club until 2024 when he left to join Copenhagen.
Stephan Lichtsteiner
Arsenal moved quickly in 2018 to sign Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer from Juventus, with the experienced full-back available.
The right-back had won 14 trophies in his time with the Old Lady, bringing some hope that he could help add to that tally at the Emirates Stadium.
Lichtsteiner failed to hit the heights though, making just 23 appearances and struggling to get to the speed of the game.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was given the nod ahead of him, with the Hale End academy star handed an opportunity to impress.
Shkodran Mustafi
Arsenal paid a big fee to land Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia in 2016, looking to bolster the defensive ranks with his ability.
In five years, the German international made over 150 appearances for the Gunners but truly struggled to show his best.
Some big mistakes from the star played into the difficulties that Arsenal had from 2016 until 2021, with a move made to Schalke.
Just months after, he left the German club, landing at Levante for two years before retiring in 2023.
Igor Stepanovs
Signed in 2000 from Latvian side Skonto Riga, Igor Stepanovs was a centre-back who came in as a promising option to compete with an ageing backline.
After making an impressive start on debut, scoring against Ipswich Town, the defender struggled to push his way into the side.
One nightmare for Stepanovs came in a 6-1 defeat to Manchester United, where a Dwight Yorke hat-trick put the Gunners to the sword.
He only played once more after, leaving on loan to Beveren in 2003 and then permanently to Grasshoppers in Switzerland one year later – making 31 appearances for Arsenal in the end.
Andre Santos
Coming in at left-back, Andre Santos is one star who struggled to make an impact after a decent start at the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazilian joined from Fenerbahce in 2011, making 33 appearances for the club before leaving just two years later.
A move to Gremio on loan was then followed by a permanent switch to Flamengo, before bouncing around clubs and retiring in 2019.
Denilson
Moving to the midfield ranks, defensive midfielder Denilson is one who struggled for a while in his time at Arsenal.
The Gunners signed the Brazilian from Sao Paulo in 2006 as a promising youngster, where he was handed plenty of opportunities.
After a decent start to life in North London, Denilson made over 150 appearances for the club but injuries and the emergence of Jack Wilshere made it tough for him to make his way back into the team.
The midfielder returned to Sao Paulo on a free transfer in 2013 before spells at other clubs in Brazil, the UAE and Poland, eventually retiring in 2022.
Emmanuel Frimpong
Something of a cult hero at Arsenal, Emmanuel Frimpong was an energetic and enthusiastic midfielder coming through the youth ranks.
He managed to make 16 appearances in the first-team, but wasn’t really able to show his quality on the ball.
Loan moves around England then followed before a permanent exit to Russian outfit FC Ufa.
Frimpong had a nomadic career before retiring at just 29 years old from persistent knee injuries.
Denis Suarez
In the second half of the 2018/19 season, Arsenal looked to strengthen their midfield by handing Unai Emery the loan signing of Denis Suarez from Barcelona.
In that six-month spell, the Spaniard made just six appearances for the Gunners, failing to make an impact at all.
Arsenal fans will largely remember Suarez as a transfer flop, who has since had spells at Celta Vigo, Espanyol and currently at Villarreal.
Willian
In 2020, Arsenal made the bold move to sign Willian on a free transfer from rivals Chelsea, following the expiration of his contract.
The Brazilian winger had an enjoyable seven years at Stamford Bridge, where he managed to win a few trophies with some impressive performances.
Willian looked to do similar for the Gunners but after one year of poor displays with 37 appearances, he left to join Corinthians.
Spells at Olympiacos and Fulham have followed, with the latter still being his current club.
Chu-young Park
Arsenal signed Chu-young Park in 2011 from AS Monaco in a deal worth £3million, with Arsene Wenger pulling the strings to stop the star from joining Lille after a medical was booked.
The South Korean star struggled to match the pace required though, only making seven appearances for the club.
Several loan spells followed before an exit from the Emirates Stadium in 2014, with a few different clubs to follow before retirement in 2025.
Lucas Perez
Arsenal pushed hard to sign Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna in 2016, hopeful he would add some scoring prowess up front.
While the Spaniard enjoyed some cup goals, he didn’t make much of an impact in the Premier League, scoring just once in the league.
After 21 appearances, Perez went on loan back to Deportivo the following season, with a spell at West Ham and elsewhere in Spain following.
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