Yesterday, we took a look at who is Arsenal’s biggest legend. It was, as it should be, a split decision, with a few shouts for Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira to at least merit consideration. It’s a luxury to have such sumptuous options available to discuss. Since their time at the club, though, we’ve gone through a bit of a dry spell as we await the next legend. A few names have emerged only to sink (or slink) away: Fàbregas. Van Persie. Ramsey. Koscielny. Özil. Sanchez. That’s just to name a few. Among our current squad, though, it’s starting to feel like there might just be a legend in the making,
I suppose you see where this post is going, based on the image above. This is not meant to set limits around the debate. There are other players starting to merit serious consideration. I won’t enumerate them now if only to defuse any potential criticism. For now, grant me the right to frame the debate on my own terms. Here we go…
The Hale End lad
Yes, Bukayo Saka. Our Starboy. Little Chilli. Our talisman. As Saka goes, so goes the Arsenal. Our attack flows through him and, much like the Force, he flows. He scores. He creates. He gets fouled and fouled and fouled but gets up and scores and creates and scores anyway. His rise fits a sentimental narrative, that of the Academy product who’s both dedicated to the club and good enough to elevate it to the levels we aspire it (if not quite deserve to the degree that some would insist). He’s an effervescent, charismatic young man whose success sends a beacon of hope to other, talented young players coming through the pipeline. Every goal he scores, every chance he creates, does more than build his burgeoning legacy: each one brings us closer to silverware and inspires the next generation.
The auspicious signing
When we first loaned him from Real Madrid, I don’t think any of us really expected that we would sign Martin Ødegaard…and here we are. Yes, we signed one of the most-coveted, and perhaps one of the most-talented #10s in the world despite the remorseless, rapacious interest in him from none other than Pep Guardiola, who wanted the then-15 year told to come to Bayern almost a decade ago. Signing with the Arsenal instead stood as a dramatic declaration of this club’s intent; no longer were we a selling club with no ambition. No, instead, we were on our way to becoming quite the opposite. We signed a player on the cusp of superstardom, and, what’s more, he seems to truly enjoy and respect this club and its traditions. Despite Pep’s claim that he would make Ødegaard “the best player in the world.” Ødegaard seems to be making decent progress without any help from the Bald Fraud.
The needle in the haystack
This one comes from Wenger’s playbook. He’s French. He’d been playing for a smaller French side, Saint-Étienne. He was flying under the radar. While there’s been some grumbling against Arteta for loaning him out too many times (three seasons, for those counting), it’s been difficult if not impossible to argue against the results. Saliba has emerged as one of the best centre-backs in Europe at the tender age of 23. Between him and Magalhães, we might have one of the best centre-back pairings in the world. While those who score find and easier path to legendary status than those who prevent goals, Saliba does pop up from time to time with a goal here and there. Lest we overlook his primary objective, Saliba regularly pockets the Prem’s best strikers, perhaps anointing the likes of Erling Haaland a new nickname: gnurr (look it up).
Of course, as I mentioned from the off, these three are just the first to come to mind. Declan Rice is hot on their heels, but, after just one season, he’s playing catch-up (and catching up fast). I might even suggest that Kai Havertz, should he find anything close to the purple patch he displayed during last season’s run-in, will enter the chat. Magalhães, who’s scored more goals than any other defender since his arrival, is knocking at if not kicking down the door.
Yes, the “legend” label can get tossed around rather casually, and I don’t want to be found guilty of the same. As Kierkegaard told us yesterday, “life can only be understood backwards,” to which he added, “but it must be lived forwards.” Her we are at that crossroads. It has to feel somewhat like destiny. Surely, one or more of these three (not to exclude those others) will lead this club to the kind of glory we crave and, by doing so, earn himself a spot in the pantheon. I’ll close by paraphrasing the American author Mark Twain by saying, “those of you inclined to worry hope have the widest selection in history.” We have on our hands one of the best young squads in Europe, including some of the best players at their respective positions, and none of them is older than 25. The future looks bright indeed.
As for you, who among this young, impudent, and irrepressible squad seems most likely to find a spot among Arsenal’s “50 Greatest Players?” That list hasn’t been updated since 2017, but it’s not too early to consider whether an update might someday be necessary.
