As many of you know during the international break I like a list! by Dan
When it was announced that Ben White was extending his contract it got me thinking is he the most underrated player in our squad? This was before it was confirmed he has asked not to be considered for selection by England.
I don’t think our defender gets enough credit for his footballing intelligence; his versatility crucial to our system. Starting at right back he tactically understands when to step into the middle to form a back 3.
So here are my top 10 Underrated Gunners of the Prem era.
Put your’s in the comments … No right or wrong!
David Luiz
Some Gooners simply think this signing was rubbish, a Chelsea reject past the peak of his powers.
That’s what makes him underrated as his short spell in North London was more beneficial than you think. Especially when he only cost us 8 million.
Yes, he set a record for how many penalties conceded in one season and was responsible for more spot kicks and red cards in two years at the Emirates compared to his entire spell at Stamford Bridge.
Yet the Brazilian’s two best performances for us were in the Semi Final and Final of the FA Cup. We won that competition 14 times so that means the defender has contributed to our history which will last forever.
Off the pitch several youngsters have credited the 36-year-old for his guidance and advice.
Gilberto Silva
Every squad of Champions needs a talent who does the less popular tasks so the flair players can do the things that get the headlines.
The DM has become a more popular position in the modern era meaning the midfielder would probably be more appreciated if playing today.
Arsene Wenger has explained scouting at the 2002 World Cup and realising that everything Brazil did started with Silva’s involvement.
Doesn’t get enough credit for the transition from Highbury to the Emirates where he stepped up as one of the few leaders to a young dressing room.
Kolo Toure
He’s appreciated by Gooners but outside of our fanbase does Toure get enough credit for a player who was the only outfield player to start every League game in a season we didn’t lose a game?
To almost prove the point there is a myth that Mr Wenger was lucky to inherit the back four he did and didn’t know how to spot a centre back! Then he brought Kolo Toure for 150,000 pounds!
Playing at full back or in midfield his manager trained him to have the qualities to play in defence. It remains one of the best tactical switches in our history.
Lauren
In Mr Wenger’s own words Lauren is I one of his best signings simply because he believes the right back was underrated.
Originally signed as a midfielder, Lauren was taught how to play the full back role, trusted to replace Lee Dixon.
That again makes a mockery of the notion that his manager couldn’t build his own defence.
Guaranteeing a 7 out of 10 each week Lauren could do everything. He could go forward, defend, fight you if needed, he could never be bullied.
The type of character we have missed in the last two decades.
Matthew Upson
This is more about timing.
Played enough games in the 2001-2002 season to qualify for a title medal. That was Tony Adams last before retirement meaning there was an opportunity up for grabs, yet in February of that year poor Upson broke his leg.
Having been patient since 1997 the centre back wanted to play regular football and given how he would perform at Birmingham and West Ham, maybe all parties regret not finding a compromise?
His form was good enough to play at the 2010 World Cup.
Carlos Vela
Actually, had a decent game to goal ratio for Arsenal, mostly in the cups where he demonstrated what a natural finisher he was.
Quotes from Mr Wenger suggested though the striker lacked the dedication to adapt to the physical nature of English Football, hence why he was more prolific in Spain.
That’s the perception of him In Mexico where his talent has been debated since he was a teenager, but the consensus is he’s never been in love with the game, not helped by being lonely and not settling into the London culture.
That’s why he was strangely content to spend the peak of his powers In the MLS where he was a big fish in a small pond.
At times banned by his national team for his partying, the 35-year-old in his homeland is viewed as someone who loves the perks of what comes with being a professional sportsman, but it’s purely a job, not a passion.
In other words, playing in America paid him well, suited his lifestyle and most of the teams were willing to base their team around him.
Edu
Due to passport and personal issues, it took Edu time to settle into English football but when he did, he never let us down.
I have always argued any title winners need a squad player like Edu, someone who comes in and guarantees you a 7 out of 10 every week.
The irony is the one season the midfielder stayed fully fit was when we went unbeaten in the League. The Brazilian replaced Viera and/or Gilberto Silva in places like Anfield, Stamford Bridge and the San Siro.
Injuries meant they Arsenal were hesitant in offering him a new contract which offended the player at the time.
His injury record afterwards though suggested they were right.
Monreal
Played in some shocking defences at times but I always thought that Monreal was reliable, especially when asked to form a back three, a crucial tactical switch by Mr Wenger which played a massive part in his final trophy for us.
The left back showed a footballing brain, knowing when to form a back three but understanding when the time was right to go out on the wing and get forward.
One of many players that were shamefully paid to rip up his contract. Made more bizarre when Kolasinac was asked to try and do what Monreal could do, especially in a back 3.
Parlour
Parlour being underrated goes all the way back to winning the Double in 1998 where despite the goal scoring season of his career he continued to be overlooked by England.
I admire any player who maximises his potential and gets the very best out of his career. The midfielder would be the first to tell you that he didn’t have the technique of his teammates, but made up for it with work rate.
The type of player you need in your squad to win titles. A reliable player who can fill a couple of positions while being a leader on and off the pitch. In 2003/04, injuries and suspensions saw Parlour captain the side at times in places like the San Siro. In our two decades without the EPL title it’s because our dressing room have not had characters like Parlour.
Giroud
Going back to maximising your potential and getting the best out of your career.
Giroud has won trophies in three different countries, including the Champions League and World Cup.
Yet despite only 4 other players scoring more goals in the Prem for Arsenal, he would get shocking abuse from a section of our fanbase.
There are readers who call me negative now who used to constantly mock the striker, calling him a ‘lamp-post’
I know those who won’t have anything bad said about Eddie Nketiah now who used to call the Frenchman all kinds.
In truth some Gooners only appreciated him after he left, as managers continued to realise tactically what he offered.
If nothing else, he offers a plan B that I still don’t think we have replaced.
At 37, I would still have him as an option off the bench.
Who would make your list peeps?
Remember, no right or wrong.
Be respectful of each other’s opinions.
Dan
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Dan, all the players you mentioned have contributed in one way of another for the club
Some more loved then others but all loved but I draw the line on David Luiz. I heard good things about him being a good mentor for the younger ones
A good person but come on and let’s be honest. Past his sell by date when we bought him.
Couldn’t play in a back 4 and bear in mind we were poor at the back.
Was heart in your mouth time when last man.
cheslski probably hired a limo to drive him to us when they recieved an offer and throw a party down the Kings Road.
Velo scored some decent goals for us but in truth was not right for us at the time.
Got to be honest. Didn’t realise how good Giroud was until he left
And took him for granted.
Onwards and upwards
Phillipe Senderos. Got us to a CL final without conceding a goal in a back 4 that included Flamini and Eboué.
Eboue was really good at that time – the signing of the more experienced and defensively superior sagna ruined him imo.
Where I DISAGREE with Dan is not so much in the names but that most were NOT at all underrated, at least not by most Gooners.
as for other fans, they dont watch us week in week out as we do and dont know what WEall know.
Yes, I would have had an almost completely different list from DANs but so what.
We all have different opinions and thats fine and its normal. My beef generally was that MOST of these players were not UNDERRATED at all. Not by Gooners.
I’d say Montreal and Giroud for sure. I don’t even count the ex Chelsea dude as ever really playing for us… jus sayin
Played in FA Cup Final
DL infuriated me at times but he surprised me for the better at others. It was his rashness that made me despair but I did read that Luiz mentored Martinelli so that’s a plus
Think Martinez, Giroud and Szczesny was the most underrated players at Arsenal without a doubt.
The way Giroud was constantly scapegoated by our fans was ridiculous.
Giroud sprang to mind as the most underrated. He got a lot of flak and it’s amazing just how much you can miss someone once they leave.
I liked Flamini and was disappointed when he left too
Flamini was incredible, but only had one full season in his best position. He was so good, we could play fabregas in a two man midfield and still dominate, which we couldn’t when fabregas was paired with Gilberto – unfortunately, it was only for one year, and we sadly missed out on the title after Eduardo’s injury, which means it was largely forgotten.
Flamani a great shout Sue
Good list, though I wouldn’t say Gilberto was underrated – he’s so known for being underrated, it kind of means he’s not, if that makes sense.
Hleb and adebayor would make the list, for me. Hleb didn’t score many goals, but brilliant at everything else, and adebayor was virtually unstoppable at times for arsenal – he’s not well thought of because of how he left and what he did after, but I think people forget how good he was.
Giroud. I still miss his wonder goals. Even though he wasn’t appreciated by a large section of the fan base he always gave 100%. He went on to win almost every trophy out there including the world cup.
Giroud wasn’t prolific, but still a quality striker, with excellent technical skills for a big guy, and for a great price as well.
Although I never understood why Wenger signed him, as his tactics rarely suited Giroud’s best attributes.
I wrote on here long enough to tell you that the same readers who say it’s unfair to critique Eddie Nketiah, were ruthless towards Giroud
my most underrated arsenal players is 10. monreal 9.sagna 8.giroud 7.lauren 6.keown 5.parlour 4.white 3.gilberto 2.edu 1.ljunberg
Not a single one of those you list were at all UNDERRATED. We all knew how good they were.
Although he wasn’t with us for very long, I’d like to give a big shout to Christopher Wreh for his (and Anelka’s) efforts when covering the frequent absences of Bergkamp & Wright in Wenger’s first double season.
I would add Per Mertesacker to the list, mainly because people sometimes overrate pace and ignore other skills such as a sense of where you need to be on the pitch. One of the reasons I’m excited about Gabriel and Saliba is at last we have a center back pair who can be better than Per and Kos for as long or longer than they were starting together. I could only watch Arsenal regularly in the States after the NBC contract 2010ish, so I never saw the heights of Wenger’s team. But from 2010 on Per, Giroud, and Monreal would be my choices. I would also give Luiz, Elneny, and Holding an honorable mention for their roles helping a young squad learn how to be good professionals. I’d still keep Elneny around to work on his coaching badges and as an injury emergency backup, as long as his wages don’t get excessive.
I mush disagree with you about pace being underrated. It is of massive and vital importance.
I think TOTAL LACK OF PACE is useless to a top team.
I always thought MERTS, when he played, was an accident waiting to happen and you cannot possibly have a sound defence with a METAPHORICAL tortoise at CB.
I think many Gooners vastly OVERRATED him, but I never did.
Granit Xhaka.
Francis Cocuelin.
I was so shocked when i heard he was leaving, esp during a time when Arsenal were labelled as having a ‘soft belly’. The same with Flamini on his first spell. Why we never appreciated and then sold him is mind boggling. The dude showed his quallity when Villareal beat us in Europa semis under Emery and went on to win the whole damn thing.
I think defensive midfielders during their era and before were nor valued as much as today. Only lately, (post Covid), have we seen an increase in importance for this role/position
I agree with Dan the fans never appreciated and thus underrated Giroud. These are the same fans who are crying out for a simmilar type striker now.
By making Giroud the ‘poster face’ for this topic is a master stroke as it will force most fans to do some intro-spection and appreciate what they have!!
Wenger tried really hard to get Flamini to stay, but he’d made up his mind to run his contract down, and most likely picked up a big signing on fee from Milan.