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No Arsenal player has ever won the Ballon d'Or, which is quite remarkable considering their rich history of players and iconic achievements. That said, Arsenal have not been successful in Europe, which may have prevented their players from winning the prestigious annual award.
However, there have been many times when Arsenal players have come agonisingly close to winning the Premier League. In fact, on 14 separate occasions, Arsenal had representation within the top 10.
Here are the 14 times an Arsenal player made the top 10 cut.
Jens Lehmann finished 10th in 2006
Despite being shown a red card in the 2006 Champions League final, legendary Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was recognised for finishing 10th in the 2006 Ballon d'Or.
Lehmann was incredible throughout the 2005/06 season, so he certainly deserved a nod of appreciation here. The 2006 Champions League final was riddled with controversy, but Arsenal might not have made it to the final if it weren't for Lehmann. Let's not forget his crucial late penalty save in the semifinal.
Alexis Sanchez finished 10th in 2015
It didn't end well for Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal, but boy did it start well. The Chile international was dubbed by many as being the best player of the Emirates era until Arsenal won the Premier League.
In the 2014/15 season, Alexis was up there with the very best. He was the Premier League's best player, scoring 16 goals from Arsenal's wing. The Gunners finished third in the Premier League, but they won the FA Cup, with Alexis scoring in the final.
Liam Brady finished 9th in 1980
The 1979/80 season was a rather heartbreaking one for Arsenal. They lost two finals that year, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup. What was perhaps most heartbreaking, though, was that it was Liam Brady's final season in Arsenal red.
The legendary Gunner bowed out in the only way he knew how - carrying Arsenal's creative load. It might have been his last at Arsenal, but the boyhood Arsenal star went out with a bang, making the PFA Team of the Year and, of course, being nominated for the Ballon d'Or.
Thierry Henry finished 9th in 2001
Thierry Henry needs absolutely no introduction to Arsenal fans, so it's no surprise to see him make this list.
2001 was a tropyless year for Henry, but he was the standout player in the Premier League that year. In the 2000/01 season, Henry finished it by winning the Golden Boot (obviously), with perhaps the most iconic moment of them all being that volley against Man United. You know the one, but if you don't, I've attached it below.
Dennis Bergkamp finished 8th in 1998
There is no Thierry Henry without Dennis Bergkamp. Perhaps the most underrated player of all-time, it is everybody's shock that he never won the Ballon d'Or
1998 was a truly magnificent year for Arsenal, and Dennis Bergkamp was one of many standout players for Arsenal that year. In the 1997/98 season, when Arsenal won the Premier League and FA Cup double, Bergkamp was the top scorer for Arsenal. His technical ability is one of the best you'll ever see, but it wasn't quite enough to win the Ballon d'Or in 1998.
Cesc Fabregas finished 8th in 2007
Cesc Fabregas is one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time, even if his legacy within the fanbase says otherwise. Well, it's probably because he was so good that fans hate the fact he later joined Chelsea.
Still, it was the 2006/07 season that stood out for Fabregas. It was a transitional period for Arsenal, but Fabregas signalled the sign of great things to come. Having played in every single Premier League game that season, Fabregas became Arsenal's creative hub at such a young age. His brilliance, even at 20, was recognised by the Ballon d'Or, placing him eighth.
Liam Brady finished 7th in 1979
It is quite remarkable that Liam Brady was the first non-British player to win the PFA Player of the Year award, but it was impossible to argue his case in 1979. After Arsenal had won the FA Cup, with Brady himself being key to beating Man United in the final, he really was the face of the Gunners at the time.
1979 was the first of two consecutive top-10 finishes for Brady in the Ballon d'Or, signalling his peak at Arsenal. Beautifully, he left when he was sky-high, cementing his status as an Arsenal legend long before he left.
Thierry Henry finished 6th in 2002
Thierry Henry was truly incredible (end sentence there) in 2002.
Key moments throughout 2002 included the solo goal against Tottenham, scoring a hat trick against Roma in the Champions League and scoring 32 goals and providing 28 assists across the 2002/03 season. Yes, those are real numbers (across all competitions).
Dennis Bergkamp finished 4th in 1997
Dennis Bergkamp had a standout year for Arsenal in 1997, spearheaded by legendary manager Arsene Wenger. The Dutchman did something truly remarkable in August 1997 by finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Premier League Goal of the Month rankings - save some for the rest of them, Dennis.
Thierry Henry finished 4th in 2000, 2004 and 2005
At the turn of the millennium, Henry placed in the Ballon d'Or top 10 for the first time - narrowly missing out on the podium. Of course, it was a standout year for Henry personally, winning the EURO 2000 with France.
Henry matched the fourth-place finish in 2004, with the headline writing itself there. Arsenal won the Premier League in 2003/04 without losing a single game, with Henry being their best player throughout the season.
One year later, Henry came back for that fourth spot in what was arguably his most impressive season as an individual. Winning the Invincibles season prior, Henry built on that reputation by becoming Arsenal's all-time leading goal scorer in 2005, and he became Arsenal's captain.
Thierry Henry finished 3rd in 2006
In 2006, after finishing fourth in two consecutive seasons, Henry picked up a third-place finish in the Ballon d'Or. It was the last time he made the top 10 while wearing Arsenal red.
Thierry Henry finished 2nd in 2003
To nobody's surprise, the Arsenal player who came closest to winning the Ballon d'Or was Thierry Henry. Arsenal's greatest player of all time came painstakingly close in 2003, with Pavel Nedved winning the award instead.
Nedved was absolutely incredible, obviously. However, Arsenal fans can't help but feel hard-done-by on Henry's behalf. 60 goal contributions in 58 games, Henry is the best player to never win the Ballon d'Or.
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