Arsenal’s 10 Best African Players – Ranked

The continent of Africa is quite special.

It’s full of breathtaking nature, vibrant cultures, delicious food and wonderful people; what more could you want? Well, considering we talk football on here, it’s worth hazarding a guess it might be related to that. Fortunately for us, Arsenal have a rich history with players from Africa.

From the controversial to the downright legendary, talent from across the continent has graced the Highbury and Emirates Stadium turf in the Premier League era, and we’ve just seen one more added to the list.

Thomas Partey joins from Atletico Madrid but hails from the country of Ghana, becoming the third player from his nation to play for the Gunners during this period (can you name the other two?) and the 27th overall to ply his trade in the Premier League.

For Arsenal alone Partey will become the 21st African to play for the club in the last 28 years, some of whom you’re totally forgiven for not remembering.

Where our new signing will end up on this list will be interesting to see. How long before he breaks into the following top ten? Weeks, months, years, one man-of-the-match display away at Manchester City? We’ll have to wait and see on that. In the meantime, here are the ten best Africa players to play for Arsenal in the Premier League.

10. Christopher Wreh

A pleasant cult hero at Arsenal, Wreh was one of those players who demonstrated that hard work was sometimes enough to win you a place in the hearts of supporters.

The Liberian didn’t score many – just three in in the Premier League – but his match-winning goals in the 1997/98 season against Wimbledon and Bolton were key moments in Arsenal lifting a maiden title in the competition.

He also scored the winning goal in the FA Cup semi-final against Wolves, rounding up his goal contributions for the club with another goal against Wimbledon. Almost exclusively used as a substitute to freshen the team up late in matches, he still did enough to leave a lasting memory.

9. Alex Iwobi

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There was a point when Iwobi burst onto the scene where the whole country took note. Those two Premier League goals he scored on his first starts in the competition against Everton and Watford respectively were supposed to be it. What followed instead was a trail of infuriating inconsistency.

Setting himself a level to sustain, the Nigerian could never justify his regular inclusions under Arsene Wenger and became a source of great despair for many supporters.

He could blow hot, luke warm, cold and freezing, the former of which was once in every blue moon. Hoping for the moment where it all suddenly clicked into gear, it turned we were waiting for a train that would never arrive.

How on earth Arsenal got £30m is beyond many peoples’ comprehension.

8. Nicolas Pepe

With one full season and a handful of substitute appearances under his belt, Pepe’s 19 goal contributions are decent enough, but as with Iwobi, we’re anticipating a watershed moment where the Ivorian suddenly justifies his £72m price tag.

His most recent outing may be just that, but it does feel like he’s had his ‘moment’ a good few times already.

At his best he’s electric to watch and at his worst he causes vocal chords to stretch in disdain. Still, Pepe has unquestionable talent that has yet to fully erupt.

7. Emmanuel Eboue

Certain events, moments or simply just words can reshape the public opinion of a player, which was certainly the case for Eboue. That infamous night against Wigan in 2008 would go on to define the Ivorian’s career, but it shouldn’t.

Eboue played 214 times for Arsenal. The right-back was more than just that awful night.

Everyone’s ideal scapegoat whenever performances took a turn for the worse, it was Eboue’s strength of character which has worked adjacent to others’ opinions, turning him into a cult figure. Not many players can be lambasted frequently yet pick themselves up and give their all again and again.

Never set the world alight, but his poor outings overshadowed the grittier, solid, play-for-the-badge displays.

6. Alex Song

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It is a crying shame that Barcelona swooped in for Song in 2012. Coming off the back of four seasons regularly playing in the Premier League, the advances of the best side in the world were understandably too good to refuse.

Everything about that move was a mistake in the end, and it would have been exciting to see what may have been had Song continued in north London. The season before he’d been excellent in the central role, notably possessing a level of distribution not normally seen from a player of his ilk. Song played those lofted passes over the defence so well, even turning into an African Cesc Fabregas on occasion.

He was never consistently magnificent, but doesn’t get the credit he deserves for when he was in his richest vein of form.

5. Emmanuel Adebayor

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Scorer of one of my favourite ever Arsenal goals, I simultaneously loathe this man. How is that actually possible? How can you watch a goal he scored and think ‘cor, that’s just divine’, then equally be utterly detested by the thought of him making that run. It wasn’t a pleasant experience to be involved in. Believe me.

Adebayor was, however, utterly magnificent for an 18-month or so spell. His 30 goals in the 2007/09 campaign was one of the finest individual seasons Arsenal have seen in the Premier League era, which makes what followed all the worse.

But whatever your opinion of Adebayor, it’s impossible not to re-watch clips of his best Arsenal goals and sit in complete awe. In his pomp, he was different gravy.

4. Kanu

Kanu could well be higher up on this list. The Nigerian is the greatest player in his country’s history, won two African Footballer of the Year awards and remains one of the most decorated players the continent has ever seen.

Boasting a mesmerising air of unpredictability about everything he did, it was impossible not to watch on and marvel at the technical brilliance of Kanu. A joy to watch.

Scorer of some memorable goals and winner of two Premier League titles at the club, the virtuoso is rightly adored in north London for his superb five-year tenure.

3. Kolo Toure

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From scything down Wenger in his trial to winning the Premier League unbeaten, there are no points of criticism that can be angled Toure’s way. What the Ivorian did was prove to a select few other former Arsenal players how you go about leaving a club without tarnishing your legacy.

Toure’s lasting impression will forever remain in tact. A cultured centre-back whose height shouldn’t have dictated his position, the partnership he forged with Sol Campbell in the ‘Invicibles’ season will forever remain one of the great duos.

Yet, one of the most endearing aspects of Toure’s style was his passion. A determination that was finely balanced with an enjoyment he exuded, not once did he ever take to the pitch and not give 100%. A real legend.

2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

If it were judged on talent alone, then Aubameyang may be in line for top spot – potentially tied with Kanu – given he’s one of the most natural goalscorers this club has ever seen. His record speaks for itself, all coming during a period in the history of Arsenal fraught with uncertainty and average players.

To score as many goals as he has under the circumstances is remarkable. Playing under three permanent managers since he joined, maintaining a level of performance like he has is exemplary and a credit to the manner with which he operates and takes care of his body.

Set to join the 100-club this campaign, if he can provide the firepower to push Arsenal back into elite European competition, perhaps by claiming a European title, his legendary status would be firmly cemented. He’s well on track already.

1. Lauren

How unjust the world is when Lauren’s name isn’t mentioned anywhere near high enough in the discussion over the best full-backs in Premier League history. Arsenal have not had a right-back come close to Lauren since. Some good ones, sure, but not the Cameroonian. Not a chance.

Following in the footsteps of Lee Dixon was a daunting task, but to say an Arsenal legend was succeeded by another is special. Lauren is a true legend of the club. From letting Ruud van Nistelrooy get an earful to scoring a winning goal against Tottenham, his time at Highbury was fondly remembered for him never putting a foot wrong.

Balancing solidity with silk, he typified the Arsenal style at the time, being an integral part of both the double winning side of 2002 and the ‘Invincibles’.