Arsenal's number 17s of the Premier League era - ranked

Ten players have worn the number 17 shirt for Arsenal since the inception of the Premier League and Oleksandr Zinchenko is the latest among the bunch having recently switched from number 35.

The number holds a special place in Zinchenko's heart so he will be hoping he improves his form while wearing it, having had a disappointing campaign last year.

With the Ukraine international the latest to don the number, let's take a look at how other players fared while wearing it for Arsenal since the Premier League's inception.

9. David Hillier

David Hillier wore the number in his final seasons with Arsenal, 1995/96 to 1996/97. However, the one-cap England Under-21 international did not enjoy much success while donning number 17.

He played just nine games as Arsenal's number 17 and left the club in October 1996 in search of first team football. He joined Portsmouth for a £250,000 fee.

8. Cedric Soares

Cedric was the final player to wear the number and donned it for the entirety of his Arsenal career. The right-back joined the club on an initial loan from Southampton in the 2019/20 season and made the move permanent that summer. He remained at the club until the end of the 2023/24 campaign when he departed upon the expiration of his contract.

He had runs in the team but Cedric was never really more than a squad player for Mikel Arteta and his Gunners side. He mostly did what was required by him and is arguably over hated by Arsenal fans.

Cedric scored two goals in 64 appearances for the club, both being stunners. He netted on his debut against Norwich City and then again against Everton on the final day of the 2021/22 season.

7. Nacho Monreal

Nacho Monreal donned the number in his first two seasons at the club before switching to 18 ahead of the 2014/15 campaign.

The Spaniard was not always a first-team regular during his time wearing number 17 but did make 47 appearances, scoring one goal. He played a part in the Gunners' victorious 2013/14 FA Cup campaign, albeit remaining on the bench in the final.

Monreal played relatively well while wearing the number but his best days at Arsenal certainly came following his switch to the number 18 shirt.

6. John Jensen

John Jensen was the first player to wear number 17 for Arsenal in the Premier League. He donned it for all but one season of his Gunners career, switching to 19 for the 1995/96 campaign.

The Danish international had a big influence in the Gunners' midfield throughout the early Premier League years but struggled with injury at times. He scored just one goal for the club, a curling stunner against Queens Park Rangers in 1994.

Jensen left Arsenal in March 1996 having won a cup double in 1992/93 while wearing 17. He was also awarded a winners medal for the successful 1993/94 European Cup Winners Cup campaign despite not appearing in the final.

5. Alex Song

Alex Song wore the number 17 shirt for his whole Arsenal career having joined in 2005/06 and remaining at the club until the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

He was a decent player for the Gunners and was a regular feature in the first team from 2008/09 onwards. One of his most memorable moments at Arsenal came when he assisted Thierry Henry's goal against Leeds United on the Frenchman's second debut for the club.

Song scored ten goals in 204 appearances for the Gunners before leaving to join Barcelona in 2012.

4. Alex Iwobi

Alex Iwobi took the number 17 shirt upon his official promotion to the first team prior to the 2016/17 season and wore it until his departure ahead of the 2019/20 season.

The Nigeria international was a decent player for the club but was never good enough to be part of an evolving Arsenal team. He netted a stunning half volley in the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League final, the game that ended up being Iwobi's last for the Gunners.

Iwobi scored 13 goals in 128 appearances while donning number 17. He left Arsenal for Everton in 2019, having won one FA Cup during his time at the club.

3. Edu Gaspar

Edu Gaspar wore number 17 for his entire Arsenal career. He joined midway through the 2001/02 season and remained at the club until the end of the 2004/05 campaign.

He enjoyed a successful career at Arsenal despite not always being a regular starter. The Brazilian featured 30 times in the Premier League during the iconic 'Invincibles' season and was also part of the 2001/02 double-winning team.

Edu left Arsenal to join Valencia in 2005, having netted 15 goals in 127 appearances for the club. He won two league titles and two FA Cups while with the Gunners.

2. Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez wore the number in his first two seasons at Arsenal before switching to the number 7 shirt following the departure of Tomas Rosicky in 2016.

Chile's record goalscorer played brilliantly while wearing the number, scoring 42 goals in 93 appearances as Arsenal's number 17. He scored a stunning goal in the 2015 FA Cup final win over Aston Villa.

Sanchez established himself as one of the deadliest attackers in the Premier League while donning the number 17 shirt.

1. Emmanuel Petit

Emmanuel Petit wore the number 17 shirt throughout his whole Arsenal career and is by far the best player to don the number for the club.

He enjoyed his time at the club, scoring 11 goals in 118 appearances, as well being a vital part of the 1997-98 double-winning team.

Following a successful career with Arsenal, Petit left for Barcelona in 2000. He is remembered fondly by Gooners as one of the best midfielders to ever play for the club.

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