Arsenal Notable Captains
Arsenal notable captains? Top Arsenal Notable Captains? Arsenal notable captains in history? Which Arsenal captains have won the most for the club? Which captains have been the best leaders for Arsenal?
Well, if you’re wondering, we have a list of all the Arsenal notable captains. Let’s find out Arsenal Notable Captains.
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Who is Arsenal’s Legendary Captain
Arsenal has had many great captains, but the most legendary is Tony Adams. He captained the club from 1988 to 2002, leading Arsenal to multiple league titles and trophies across three decades. Known as “Mr. Arsenal,” Adams was the embodiment of leadership and loyalty.
Who are Arsenal’s captains? – Arsenal’s Captains (Current & Past)
Current Captain (2025 Season)
Martin Odegaard – Named captain in 2022, the Norwegian playmaker leads the team with intelligence and composure.
Notable Past Captains
Patrick Vieira (2002–2005) – Led Arsenal’s “Invincibles” to an unbeaten Premier League title in 2003-04.
Cesc Fabregas (2008–2011) – A young but brilliant captain known for his creativity.
Robin van Persie (2011–2012) – Captained Arsenal before moving to Manchester United.
Thomas Vermaelen (2012–2014) – Led the team before leaving for Barcelona.
Mikel Arteta (2014–2016) – The current Arsenal manager once captained the team.
Per Mertesacker (2016–2018) – A calm and composed leader at the back.
Laurent Koscielny (2018–2019) – A strong defensive leader.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2019–2022) – Helped Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2020.
Who is the Greatest Captain in Arsenal History?
While opinions may vary, Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira are often considered the greatest captains. Adams led Arsenal for over a decade, while Vieira captained the famous “Invincibles” squad.
Who is Arsenal’s Second Captain?
Arsenal traditionally has a vice-captain who steps in when the main captain is unavailable. As of recent seasons, the vice-captain has been:
2022–Present: Gabriel Jesus / Declan Rice (Unofficial rotation under Ødegaard)
2021–2022: Alexandre Lacazette
Previous vice-captains include: Granit Xhaka, Koscielny, and Mertesacker.
Arsenal Notable Captains – Martin Odegard
So who are the recent most notable captains? Well, Martin Odegard is the most recent notable captain. He is taking charge of Arsenal team in 2024/25.
Before Odegard, Aubameyang comes first in our mind when we talk about the list of Arsenal Notable Captains. He signed for Arsenal for a then-club-record fee of £56 million in 2018. He made his debut for Arsenal against Everton in the 5–1 home victory.
He also ended the season with 22 league goals, one behind Jamie Vardy, the winner of the Golden Boot, and tied with Danny Ings for second place. Aubameyang scored both goals in a 2–0 win against City in the FA Cup semifinal and later, Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2–1 in the final.
He became the first African to win the FA Cup as a captain. The Gabon man scored a goal in a penalty shoot-out win against Liverpool in the Community Shield.
He was left out of the starting lineup in 2021 against Tottenham, the manager citing disciplinary reasons. For one more time in 2021/22, he was omitted from the squad against Southampton, with manager Mikel Arteta citing disciplinary reasons. Three days later, the Gabon international was stripped of the captaincy role.
Arsenal Notable Captains – Tony Adams
The defender is a legend at North London. Adams’ devotion to Arsenal is such that he played for the club his entire professional career, making 669 appearances over the course of 19 years.
Adams also earned 66 caps for England winning 4 League titles, 3 FA Cups and 2 League cups. He was born on 10 October 1966 and is still a massive figure at the Emirates as he rightfully should be.
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, Adams was not only a great leader on the pitch but also one of the best defenders in the world during his time.
Taking on the armband in 1988, he has the most number of games under his belt as the Gunners captain. He is a legend among all Arsenal notable captains.
Arsenal Notable Captains – Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira is one of the best defensive midfielders in the history of football but also one of the most influential figures at Arsenal.
The French midfielder arrived at North London in 1996 and went on to appear in 279 League games for the club. He also captained the team under Arsene Wenger for 3 seasons, succeeding Tony Adams into the position.
Under Vieira, Arsenal made history by clinching the 2003/04 Premier League title while going unbeaten. Watch & Bet Here =>
Arsenal Notable Captains – Pat Rice
Another legendary figure at Arsenal who is in the club’s top ten list of appearances made – 528. Pat Rice grew up in London and joined the club back in 1964 as an apprentice.
Soon after making his debut for the side in 1966 he on to earn his first cap for Northern Ireland. He established himself as a formidable right-back in the English top-flight and was awarded the captain’s armband in the 1976-77 season.
He won the League title once and led the club to the FA Cup trophy in 1979. After retiring from professional football, he came back to serve the club as their assistant manager for 6 years, alongside Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal Youngest Captain Ever – Terry Neill
It is a popular belief amongst most Arsenal fans that Cesc Fabregas is the club’s youngest captain ever. He is also favourite among Arsenal notable captains. However, to clear everyone’s misconception, Terry Neill is the Gunners’ youngest ever captain at 20 years and 102 days.
He officially took over as the club’s leader during the summer tour at the end of the 1961-62 campaign. The Daily Mirror even published a story on 14 August 1962 about the Northern Irishman’s new position at the Highbury.
Fabregas was 21 years and 204 days old when he had taken over from William Gallas following his embarrassment at Birmingham.
All Arsenal Captains List – Arsenal Notable Captains Watch & Bet Here =>
| Season | Captain | Notes |
| 1886-87 | David Danskin | |
| 1887-88 | David Danskin | |
| 1888-89 | David Danskin / Arthur Brown | |
| 1889-90 | Morris Bates | |
| 1890-91 | Morris Bates / William Stewart / Humphrey Barbour / Peter Connolly / John McBean / Bill Julian | |
| 1891-92 | Bill Julian / David Howat / Robert Buist / William Stewart / Tom Graham / Sandy Robertson | |
| 1892-93 | Charles Booth | |
| 1893-94 | Joe Powell | |
| 1894-95 | David Howat | |
| 1895-96 | Caesar Jenkyns | |
| 1896-97 | Gavin Crawford | |
| 1897-98 | Gavin Crawford | |
| 1898-99 | John Anderson | |
| 1899-1900 | Joe Murphy | |
| 1900-01 | Duncan McNichol | |
| 1901-02 | Jimmy Jackson | |
| 1902-03 | Jimmy Jackson | |
| 1903-04 | Jimmy Jackson | |
| 1904-05 | Jimmy Jackson | |
| 1905-06 | John Dick | |
| 1906-07 | Percy Sands | |
| 1907-08 | Percy Sands | |
| 1908-09 | Percy Sands | |
| 1909-10 | Percy Sands | |
| 1910-11 | Percy Sands | |
| 1911-12 | Percy Sands | |
| 1912-13 | Percy Sands | |
| 1913-14 | Percy Sands | |
| 1914-15 | Percy Sands | |
| 1915-16 | Probably Percy Sands | |
| 1916-17 | Probably Percy Sands | |
| 1917-18 | Probably Percy Sands | |
| 1918-19 | Probably Percy Sands | |
| 1919-20 | Joe Shaw | |
| 1920-21 | Frank Bradshaw | |
| 1921-22 | Frank Bradshaw | |
| 1922-23 | Alec Graham | |
| 1923-24 | Billy Blyth | |
| 1924-25 | Alf Baker | |
| 1925-26 | Charlie Buchan | |
| 1926-27 | Charlie Buchan | |
| 1927-28 | Charlie Buchan | |
| 1928-29 | Billy Blyth | |
| 1929-30 | Tom Parker | |
| 1930-31 | Tom Parker | |
| 1931-32 | Tom Parker | |
| 1932-33 | Charlie Jones | Until 24 February 1933 |
| 1932-33 | Alex James | From 24 February 1933 |
| 1933-34 | Alex James | |
| 1934-35 | Alex James | |
| 1935-36 | Alex James | |
| 1936-37 | Alex James | |
| 1937-38 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1938-39 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1939-40 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1940-41 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1941-42 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1942-43 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1943-44 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1944-45 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1945-46 | Eddie Hapgood | |
| 1945-46 | George Male | |
| 1946-47 | George Male | |
| 1947-48 | Joe Mercer | |
| 1948-49 | Joe Mercer | |
| 1949-50 | Joe Mercer | |
| 1950-51 | Joe Mercer | |
| 1951-52 | Joe Mercer | |
| 1952-53 | Joe Mercer | |
| 1953-54 | Joe Mercer | |
| 1954-55 | Jimmy Logie | Until 10 November 1954 |
| 1954-55 | Walley Barnes | From 10 November 1954 |
| 1955-56 | Walley Barnes | Until 17 September 1955 |
| 1955-56 | Don Roper | 18 September to 8 January 1956 |
| 1955-56 | Cliff Holton | From 8 January 1956 |
| 1956-57 | Peter Goring | |
| 1956-57 | Cliff Holton | |
| 1957-58 | Dennis Evans | Until 4 January 1958 |
| 1957-58 | Dave Bowen | From 4 January 1958 |
| 1958-59 | Dave Bowen | |
| 1959-60 | Vic Groves | |
| 1960-61 | Vic Groves | |
| 1961-62 | Vic Groves | |
| 1962-63 | Terry Neill | |
| 1963-64 | George Eastham | |
| 1964-65 | George Eastham | |
| 1965-66 | George Eastham | |
| 1966-67 | Don Howe | |
| 1967-68 | Frank McLintock | |
| 1968-69 | Frank McLintock | |
| 1969-70 | Frank McLintock | |
| 1970-71 | Frank McLintock | |
| 1971-72 | Frank McLintock | |
| 1972-73 | Frank McLintock | |
| 1973-74 | Bob McNab | |
| 1974-75 | Alan Ball | |
| 1975-76 | Eddie Kelly / Terry Mancini | Kelly was team captain, Mancini was club captain |
| 1975-76 | Alan Ball | |
| 1976-77 | Alan Ball | |
| 1976-77 | Pat Rice | |
| 1977-78 | Pat Rice | |
| 1978-79 | Pat Rice | |
| 1979-80 | Pat Rice | |
| 1980-81 | David O’Leary | |
| 1981-82 | David O’Leary | |
| 1982-83 | David O’Leary | |
| 1983-84 | Graham Rix | |
| 1984-85 | Graham Rix | |
| 1985-86 | Graham Rix | |
| 1986-87 | Kenny Sansom | |
| 1987-88 | Kenny Sansom | Until 6 March 1988 |
| 1987-88 | Tony Adams | From 6 March 1988 |
| 1988-89 | Tony Adams | |
| 1989-90 | Tony Adams | |
| 1990-91 | Tony Adams | |
| 1991-92 | Tony Adams | |
| 1992-93 | Tony Adams | |
| 1993-94 | Tony Adams | |
| 1994-95 | Tony Adams | |
| 1995-96 | Tony Adams | |
| 1996-97 | Tony Adams | |
| 1997-98 | Tony Adams | |
| 1998-99 | Tony Adams | |
| 1999-2000 | Tony Adams | |
| 2000-01 | Tony Adams | |
| 2001-02 | Tony Adams | |
| 2002-03 | Patrick Vieira | |
| 2003-04 | Patrick Vieira | |
| 2004-05 | Patrick Vieira | |
| 2005-06 | Thierry Henry | |
| 2006-07 | Thierry Henry | |
| 2007-08 | William Gallas | |
| 2008-09 | William Gallas | Until 24 November 2008 |
| 2008-09 | Cesc Fabregas | From 24 November 2008 |
| 2009-10 | Cesc Fabregas | |
| 2010-11 | Cesc Fabregas | |
| 2011-12 | Robin van Persie | |
| 2012-13 | Thomas Vermaelen | |
| 2013-14 | Thomas Vermaelen | |
| 2014-15 | Mikel Arteta | |
| 2015-16 | Mikel Arteta | |
| 2016-17 | Per Mertesacker | |
| 2017-18 | Per Mertesacker | |
| 2018-19 | Laurent Koscielny | |
| 2019-20 | Aubameyang | |
| 2020-21 | Aubameyang | |
| 2021-22 | Aubameyang | Sacked in December |
| 2022-23 | Lacazette | From Dec 2021 |
| 2023-24 | Martin Odegard | |
| 2024-25 | Martin Odegard |
Arsenal Captains 2018/19
The Gunners appointed Unai Emery as their manager ahead of the 2018/19 season, who chose 5 players to lead the club under him. He is one of Arsenal notable captains.
“The captain of this group is Laurent Koscielny, who is injured at the moment,” said Unai Emery.
“After Laurent, our other captains are Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka.
“I want leaders in the team, every player at every time to have the capacity to show leadership, but these are the five players who have a possibility to be the captain.”
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FAQs about Arsenal Notable Captains
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Arsenal Notable Captains
Who is the greatest captain of Arsenal?
Patrick Vieira – Led Arsenal during the Invincibles era and played a key role in their unbeaten 2003-2004 Premier League season.
Who is the most famous Arsenal player ever?
Thierry Henry – Arsenal’s all-time top scorer and one of the best players in Premier League history.
Who are the famous back 5 in Arsenal?
- David Seaman (GK)
- Lee Dixon (RB)
- Tony Adams (CB)
- Martin Keown (CB)
- Nigel Winterburn (LB)
Who is the second captain of Arsenal?
Robert Pires (historically) and currently Gabriel Jesus.
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