5 most unique Arsenal shirt numbers of all time

Upon signing for Arsenal, Martin Zubimendi has opted to don the number 36 shirt for his new side, a sentiment to his breakthrough as a first team player, but a unique choice nonetheless.

The days of standard numbers between 1 and 11 are far behind us, as shown by players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold wearing 66, but the Gunners have tended to stick within normality. Arsenal have often assigned first-team players a number between 1 and 35 so Zubimendi's choice sees him join a small group of unusual picks.

This list doesn't take into account academy graduates' numbers like Myles Lewis-Skelly donning 49, but instead just first-team signings who have taken a unique set of digits for Arsenal.

5 most unique Arsenal squad numbers of all time

1. Abou Diaby - 2

Upon signing for Arsenal in January 2006, Abou Diaby was bizarrely given the number two shirt, that hadn't been worn since legendary right back Lee Dixon's retirement in 2002.

Typically worn by a defender, handing Diaby the shirt was an odd choice to say the least and he was actually urged by friends not to take those digits when he moved to the Gunners.

He wore the number for eight seasons at Arsenal before switching to 24 for his final two campaigns. Despite positive performances when on the pitch, Diaby's time in north London was marred by injury and he never quite reached the heights expected of him.

2. Nelson Vivas - 7

A right back by trade, Nelson Vivas found himself in the opposite situation to Diaby. He had taken number seven, an attacking player's digits as opposed to a defender's.

The Argentine right back took the number when he signed for Arsenal in 1998 and proved to be a decent backup option to Lee Dixon until he was loaned to Celta Vigo a year and a half later.

Once he returned, his unique number had been taken by new signing Robert Pires, meaning he took the 23 shirt before eventually joining Inter Milan on a permanent deal.

3. William Gallas - 10

From a legend to a controversial figure. William Gallas, a centre back, took the number 10 shirt when he joined from Chelsea in 2006, just a short time after the iconic previous owner Dennis Bergkamp retired.

Throughout an Arsenal career filled with controversy, the Frenchman never really lived up to the expectations of the famous digits. From sulking on the pitch to giving bad interviews about teammates, Gallas didn't earn too many fans while in north London.

Having been named club captain, he was eventually stripped of the role before moving to arch-rivals Tottenham two years later. Despite some occasionally bright moments, Gallas did not have the best time with the Gunners and definitely didn't meet the requirements of the shirt's iconic history. A bizarre choice to say the least.

4. Andre Santos - 11

Regarded as one of the worst signings of Arsenal's modern era, Andre Santos spent just one-and-a-half seasons at the club and bizarrely wore the number 11 shirt during them.

Although able to be deployed as an attacking figure, Santos was primarily a left back and that made the decision to give him the digits very odd indeed. His brightest moment as a Gunner came when in a 5-3 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

It seemed the player didn't even like the number as he was very keen to give his shirt away, notoriously swapping with ex-Arsenal captain Robin van Persie at half-time against Manchester United. Simply a bad signing and a weird number to go with.

5. Declan Rice - 41

The man who broke Arsenal's shirt number norm. Declan Rice took the number 41 shirt when he made his record-breaking move across the capital from West Ham.

Like new signing Zubimendi, Rice's choice has a sentimental meaning behind it. He famously wore the number throughout his time as a Hammer, having been given it when he first appeared for the side's senior team.

The midfielder has impressed throughout his time with the Gunners and is writing himself into the history books along with his iconic digits.

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