Arsenal: 4 iconic shirt numbers available in the summer

Arsenal spent January dedicated to trimming and improving their squad, although only one of those targets was met in a remarkable transfer window.

On top of numerous departures before the season began Arsenal bid farewell to six more senior squad members, three who left permanently and three who departed on loan moves.

It was a surprising course of action to take based on the number of incomings: zero.

For almost all of the departures it is no great loss not to secure replacements, with the only major gripe being the decision not to sign a striker. Even a loan move for someone with a decent track record in front of goal would have sufficed.

Arsenal: 4 iconic shirt numbers available in the summer after January and summer transfer moves as well as players’ contracts expiring

The month’s action means Mikel Arteta’s squad has been reduced to just 20 first team players – Arthur Okonkwo is unlikely to play therefore isn’t counted – which is enough for a whole matchday squad.

Thursday’s trip to Wolves will see every senior player remaining, with the exclusion of Okonkwo, being on the coach up to the Black Country.

What else does heavy trimming of the squad entail, though? Well, it frees up squad numbers, of course!

Squad numbers mean so much to many supporters. Growing up and watching their icons and favourite players write football history with certain numbers on their backs holds special meaning. And when the summer comes around there will be new faces hoping to follow suit in some iconic numbers in the history of Arsenal.

Four very special numbers will be freed up come the summertime.

Number 14

One of the most iconic numbers in Arsenal’s history, all thanks to one man.

While it had been worn in the past on occasion by some memorable club greats, it became what it is today thanks to the best player ever to play for the club, Thierry Henry.

Since then it has endured mixed success, although plenty of goals: Theo Walcott is in the 100 club and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was just seven short of joining him in much fewer games. Both players had their ups and downs but generally speaking those who’ve worn the number 14 since Henry’s time have been effective in front of goal.

Who might that be next now Aubameyang is gone? There is already talk of Gabriel Martinelli eyeing up the legendary number in the summer, who is due an upgrade on his current No. 35.

If it is handed to Martinelli then nobody would begrudge him it. This is a player heading straight for the top. The number 14 will follow him all the way.

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Number 9

“He’s our Frenchmen, He’s our number nine (number nine)

“He plays for Arsenal in red and white (red and white)

“Scoring goals is what he does best,

“And he goes by the name of Lacazette…”

The problem is, scoring goals isn’t really what Lacazette does best and, in recent history, nor is it what any player donning the number nine has done for Arsenal.

Lucas Perez…

Chu-young Park…

Julio Baptista…

Francis Jeffers…

There have, of course, been some successes in the number nine, like Anelka, George, Reyes and the like, but what the Gunners really want is a proper goalscoring centre-forward. This will doubtlessly come via the transfer market, and is the move everyone has their eyes peeled on for the summer when Lacazette eventually departs.

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Number 11

Perhaps not deemed quite as iconic as some of the others, Robin van Persie did produce one of the greatest individual seasons in Premier League history donning the number, while one Mesut Ozil lit up the Emirates for years on end with historic playmaking numbers and divine creativity before he switched to the No. 10.

George Armstrong also clocked up 621 appearances for the club mostly wearing the number 11, while Paul Merson didn’t do too badly with it on his back either.

So, in fact, it’s a pretty special number.

Would it be a special number for Martinelli? He may have eyes on the 14 but the opportunity to write his name out as Martine11i would surely be too good to turn down? He might not be bothered about that, mind you.

Preferably, though, is that the number 11 not be given to a left-back (Andre Santos) or a defensive midfielder (Lucas Torreira). That’s just wrong. Don’t do that.

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Number 2

When the number two is mentioned, who springs to mind? If it isn’t the greatest right-back the club has ever had, Lee Dixon, then it best be Pat Rice, and if it’s neither of them there is a conversation that needs to be had.

There really aren’t a great deal of memorable ones since then, with the number currently occupied by one Hector Bellerin who is out on loan at Real Betis. It doesn’t look like he’ll be coming back, either.

So when he does depart it will free up the number, and considering how synonymous it is with the right-back position, surely it has to be handed to Takehiro Tomiyasu?

Currently donning the number 18 which Thomas Partey wore in his first season, freeing that number up for a central midfielder wouldn’t go amiss, unless there an Abou Diaby successor lurking around who wants to return the number two to its central midfield position.

But given how loved Tomiyasu is and how completely secure his position is at right-back, handing him the number worn by previous brilliant right-backs Dixon and Rice seems like a sound move.