Who Is Arsenal’s Best Modern Keeper?
The first in a series of articles on all of the best modern Arsenal players in every position.

So who is Arsenal's best modern keeper?

Over the next weeks we’ll be running a series where YOU can vote to pick the greatest modern Arsenal player in each position. We’ll pick the top few players for each position, announce them here with a few words about each player, and then leave it to you to vote for your favourite. We’ll also be running a thread on our forum dedicated to each position, so why not join for free and tell us why we should all be voting for your favourite.

So who qualifies? Well, we would love to run a ‘best ever’ series, but with the lack of television clips of the age, and the fact that there won’t be that many people who actually remember them, we felt that it wouldn’t be fair (on the players) to include the likes of Moss, Hapgood, Male, James, Drake etc.. So generally you’re looking at a choice of players from the mid 60’s to the current, although as you’ll see below we might stretch that slightly from time to time.

Well, here we go. And it’s not going to be easy for you. During that ‘period’ Arsenal have had seven outstanding keepers who’ve given Arsenal sterling service. All of them were amongst the top keepers of their era. Have a think, have a vote. And if you’re wondering who my choice is, well you’ll have to join the forum…

Jack Kelsey

1949-1963

352 games

Championship Medal, 41 caps for Wales

Kelsey took over from Swindin as number one, and served both Arsenal and Wales with distinction for 8 years before his career was eventually ended due to an injury he received performing heroics against Brazil in the 1962 World Cup Finals. He didn’t play for Arsenal during a very successful period, but no one would claim that it was due to his keeping. When injury ended his career he continued to work for Arsenal on the commercial side, and for many years ran the Gunners Shop at the Clock End.

Bob Wilson

1963-1974

308 appearances

Championship Medal, FA Cup Winners Medal, 2 caps for Scotland

Bob joined Arsenal as an amateur from Leeds after training to be a PE teacher at Loughborough. Signed professional forms a year later, but continued to teach part time. Became number 1 in 1968 when he displaced Jim Furnell and kept his place until he rather surprisingly announced his retirement in 1974. An extremely brave keeper, he was known for smothering forwards by diving head first at their feet in an era when strikers thought nothing of leaving a boot in. Key member of our first double team.

Jimmy Rimmer

1974-1977

146 appearances

1 cap for England

Signed from Manchester United to replace Wilson and was one of the main reasons Arsenal avoided relegation in the mid 70’s. An extremely consistent keeper, he left to join Aston Villa within days of Jennings signing where he served with distinction winning the Championship and European Cup. Unfortunate not to play for Arsenal during a more successful period.

Pat Jennings

1977-1985

327 appearances

FA Cup Winners Medal, 119 caps for Northern Ireland

One of the all time great keepers, our friends in N17 were only too happy to sell him to us as they thought he was finished and they had better keepers in reserve. Oops. A genuine football legend, he proved he wasn’t as they tried a succession of replacements without success. Unorthodox, but always knew exactly where he was. In training he often used to stand still as players shot and shout post or bar and grin when he heard the thud.

John Lukic

1983-1990, and 1996-2001

298 appearances

Championship Medal, League Cup Winners Medal

One of many understudies to Jennings, he was the one who was there to replace him with distinction. Signed from Leeds (where he was understudy to Seaman), he was a vital part of the George Graham team that returned Arsenal to glory. Despite the fact the best place for a striker to stand when he cleared was the touchline, he was loved by the fans and would ‘do the twist’ whenever asked. Was sold back to Leeds despite fans protests when Seaman signed, ended up returning to Arsenal a few years later (with another Championship medal) to complete the circle and be understudy to Seaman again, becoming the oldest player ever to play in the Champions League.

David Seaman

1990-2003

563 appearances

3 Championship Medals, 4 FA Cup Winners Medals, European Cup Winners Cup Winners Medal, League Cup Winners Medal, 75 caps for England

Big Yorkshireman with an even bigger grin. Won the fans over almost instantly and learnt to ‘do the twist’ very quickly. One of the best keepers around for a decade, his imposing stature seemed to encourage strikers to shoot wide. His ‘mistakes’ are often commented on, but it says volumes that in a dozen years at the top there were so few. Was also part of possibly the greatest defensive unit ever created in this country. Had a brief visit to Manchester City before finally retiring ‘due to injury’.

Jens Lehmann

2003-Present

142 appearances

Championship Medal, FA Cup Winners Medal, 38 Caps for Germany

Signed by Wenger to replace Seaman, Jens came with a reputation for being, frankly, a bit of a nutter. Despite keeping for the whole of the unbeaten season it took time for him to convince many supporters who found his style completely at odds with that of his predecessor. Since then various heroics (and the odd tantrum) have endeared him to the Arsenal faithful and after three tournaments in the German squad now enters his first World Cup as German number 1.

Please note – for all players only club honours won with Arsenal are included, although the caps shown are a career total and may include caps won whilst at other clubs. All stats are intended to be correct as at 18/05/2006.

Poll Results