5 greatest Spanish Arsenal players of all time

Arsenal have added another Spaniard to their ranks having had some brilliant players from the nation over the years
Fabregas is among the best
Fabregas is among the best | Phil Cole/GettyImages

Arsenal have added two more Spaniards to their ranks with the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi and the pair will find themselves in great company among compatriots who have also donned the famous red and white.

The Gunners have boasted a wealth of talent from Spain over the years, with 16 players from the nation having made at least one appearance for the club. There have also been several players play for Arsenal's academy sides over the years.

Mikel Arteta's side don't seem to be done raiding the Spanish market just yet with the club currently in talks to sign youth international Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, who would be another fine representative for his country in north London.

The new players will have big boots to fill with some of Arsenal's best players throughout the modern era hailing from Spain. Here are the five best Spanish Gunners of all time.


5 greatest Spanish Arsenal players of all time

5. Nacho Monreal

Nacho Monreal
Monreal was an underrated talent | Julian Finney/GettyImages

Nacho Monreal was an underrated talent while at Arsenal and served as a great servant to the club during his time in north London.

He was a consistent performer for the Gunners, scoring 11 goals and providing 18 assists in 251 appearances. He won three FA Cups and Community Shields while with Arsenal, as well as being part of the sides that reached the finals of the League Cup and Europa League in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

The left back earned 22 caps for the Spanish national team, with most of those coming while a Gunner. He left Arsenal in 2019 to join Real Sociedad, before retiring three years later.


4. Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta
A current Spanish representative for Arsenal | Julian Finney/GettyImages

Mikel Arteta enjoyed a successful five seasons at Arsenal, making 150 appearances and winning two FA Cups, as well as leading the team as captain.

The Spaniard's leadership qualities still shine through today as he remains manager of the Gunners, having returned to north London in 2019 and leading his side to FA Cup glory in his debut campaign.

Despite his talent, Arteta never received a cap for the Spanish national team. That was the unfortunate curse of being part of the same midfield generation as world-class players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso.

That didn't take anything away from his ability however as Arteta is still one of the best Spaniards to play for Arsenal.


3. Jose Antonio Reyes

Jose Antonio Reyes
Forever an Invincible | Sportsphoto/Allstar/GettyImages

Jose Antonio Reyes signed for Arsenal midway through their famous 'Invicibles' campaign and went on to help the side finish the season as unbeaten Premier League champions.

The versatile forward had a mixed spell with the Gunners, scoring great goals against the likes of Chelsea and Middlesbrough, but also seeing his performances affected by inconsistency and homesickness.

He left the club for Atletico Madrid in 2007, having scored 23 goals and provided 27 assists in 110 appearances for Arsenal. He enjoyed a successful career in Spain, winning five Europa Leagues with Atletico and Sevilla respectively, before he tragically passed away in a car crash in 2019.

While his time with the Gunners suffered with inconsistency, he will always be remembered by fans as being part of a famous title-winning side. Forever an Invincible.


2. Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla
Cazorla was an influential player | Clive Mason/GettyImages

The little magician Santi Cazorla came to Arsenal in 2012 from a Malaga side oozing with talent. He instantly became one of the Gunners' best players, offering plenty of brilliance across the midfield.

He scored 29 goals and provided 44 assists in 180 appearances for the club with perhaps his most famous coming in the 2014 FA Cup final against Hull City as he helped his side come from two goals down to win the trophy with one of the best free-kicks of the Emirates era.

Cazorla also enjoyed success with his national team, netting 15 times in 81 appearances and winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

His time at Arsenal came to an end when he suffered what was expected to be a career-ending injury, but he returned to football and has since led his boyhood club Real Oviedo back to La Liga after a 24-year absence.


1. Cesc Fabregas

Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabreg
Simply the best | GLYN KIRK/GettyImages

This one hurts. Cesc Fabregas joined Arsenal as a youngster in 2003 and broke records on his way to becoming one of the first team's most important players.

He spent eight years with the Gunners, scoring 57 goals and assisting 95 in 303 games. He became club captain in 2008, but left for a return to Barcelona in 2011 before coming back to the Premier League with Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea three years after.

Fabregas was a crucial player for the Spain national team and won the 2010 World Cup while an Arsenal player. He assisted Iniesta's winning goal in the final, helping defeat the Netherlands in extra-time.

Despite eventually moving to the Gunners' rivals, Fabregas remains the greatest Spanish player to ever appear for Arsenal.


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