Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Ranking the 5 best Arsenal central defenders of all-time

By Adam Schultz

26 Dec 2000: Tony Adams celebrates his goal for Arsenal during the FA Carling Premier League match against Leicester City played at Highbury in London. Arsenal won the game 6-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Mike Hewitt /Allsport
26 Dec 2000: Tony Adams celebrates his goal for Arsenal during the FA Carling Premier League match against Leicester City played at Highbury in London. Arsenal won the game 6-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Mike Hewitt /Allsport /
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London, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal’s Sol Campbell celebrates his second goal during their Premiership match against Everton at home to Arsenal at Highbury football grounds in London, 19 September 2005. (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)
London, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal’s Sol Campbell celebrates his second goal during their Premiership match against Everton at home to Arsenal at Highbury football grounds in London, 19 September 2005. (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Sol Campbell

Who can remember the day that Arsene Wenger walked out with Tottenham Hotspur player Sol Campbell and not Richard Wright, who many thought the Gunners were announcing had signed with the club? Good times.

Even though Campbell had a rather short stay in north London, he is arguably one of the most gifted athletes to ever play for the club. His pace, physicality, and his huge frame made him a seriously tough opponent. He only played five years with Arsenal, but during that time, it was trophy-ladened.

Some likely think he is placed too high on the list, but given what he accomplished during the 2003/04 season has him at number three. He was, without doubt, the backbone of the Arsenal defense alongside a youthful Kolo Toure as the Gunners secured the league title by going the entire league season without a defeat.

The Invincibles were made in part to Campbell’s marshaling of the defense as his physical style and pace often made him an intimidating presence on the field. Campbell won two league titles and an FA Cup during his time with the club.

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