Arsenal: 30 Greatest Players Of All Time

By Ronnie Macdonald (Flickr: Dennis Bergkamp statue) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Ronnie Macdonald (Flickr: Dennis Bergkamp statue) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons /
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14. Charlie George

A true cult hero, Charlie George is Arsenal through and through. Growing up in Islington, on the doorstep of Highbury, George as a kid could be found on the terraces, cheering on his heroes through the ’50s and ’60s. Later, he could be found on the field, a hero accepting the cheers. An intelligent forward, the Londoner turned professional in 1968. He was an instant hit among Arsenal fans and was vital in Bertie Mee’s side. George’s greatest moments came, however, not in the league, but in the FA Cup.

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The magic of the cup is a funny old thing, and Charlie George embraced all of it. His finest moment came in the 1971 final. 1-1 going into the second period of extra time, George was slipped through by John Radford. From the edge of the area, George unleashed a rocket, winning the double for the Gunners. His celebration is what the goal is remembered for, with George sprawled across the turf, arms aloft, head held high.

It was truly a great goal and represented the feeling that many of the fans held towards George. Considered a bad boy, a rebel, George was a maverick on and off the pitch. His talent was immense, his success an underachievement, but a true favorite among the Highbury faithful.

Next: 13. David O'Leary