We’ve pulled collectively all the small print on the Spanish gamers to play for Arsenal, previous and current. From Fabregas to Arteta and Merino, discover out extra right here.
From membership legends and cult heroes to forgotten favourites, there’s been a robust collection of Spanish Arsenal gamers all through the years. However perhaps you’d like a refresher? We’ve pulled collectively a round-up of Spanish Arsenal gamers, previous and current, breaking down their time with the crew and the legacy they’ve left behind in north London.
Learn on for the complete breakdown, or alternatively take a look at our record of the prime 10 Arsenal gamers ever, and go to our soccer betting web page to search out out all the percentages and markets for the Gunners’ subsequent recreation.
Spanish Arsenal gamers with 100+ appearances
We’ll first flip our consideration to the Spanish gamers with probably the most appearances for Arsenal: those that represented the membership on greater than 100 events.
Cesc Fàbregas
A reputation we’re positive any soccer fan can be aware of is that of former captain and midfielder maestro Cesc Fàbregas. With a whopping 303 appearances between the years of 2003 and 2011, this makes him the Spanish participant who performed probably the most video games for Arsenal.
After becoming a member of the membership from the famed La Masia, Cesc made his debut at simply 16 years and 177 days outdated in October 2003, and in doing so turned the youngest first-team participant within the historical past of the membership. Just a few months later, he then went on to change into their youngest-ever goalscorer – a feat that has nonetheless not been damaged to at the present time.
Throughout his time with the membership, he performed an important position of their profitable of the FA Cup in 2005 and remains to be recognised as among the best Arsenal midfielders ever.
Nacho Monreal
Monreal moved from La Liga aspect Málaga to Arsenal within the January 2013 switch window, the place he stayed till the summer time of 2019, and made a formidable 251 appearances all through these six and a half seasons – together with three FA Cup wins.
Hailed as a constant and dependable participant, the previous Spanish Arsenal participant was primarily a left-back however did find yourself transferring into the centre half position after harm disaster within the squad – so it’s no shock his childhood nickname, ‘La Cabra’ (the goat), ended up sticking.
Hector Bellerín
One other younger star to affix the membership from the Barcelona youth academy, Bellerín made his Arsenal debut in September 2013 – although he was shortly loaned out to Watford!
Fortunately, 2014/15 marked a breakout season for the complete again, as he went on to make 20 league appearances and earned a spot within the beginning XI for the 2015 FA Cup Ultimate (which the crew gained 4-0, in opposition to Aston Villa). However that was solely one of many three FA Cup titles he would win with Arsenal, the opposite two being in 2017 and 2020.
After over 10 years with Arsenal and 239 appearances in all competitions, Bellerín returned to Spain and joined Actual Betis on mortgage for the 2021/22 season. He joined Barcelona on a everlasting deal in 2022, however went onto play for Sporting Lisbon in the identical season, earlier than rejoining Betis on a five-year deal in the summertime of 2023.
Manuel Almunia
The primary of two Spanish goalkeepers to play for Arsenal, Almunia made 175 appearances between 2004-2012. Initially, he was introduced in as a backup goalkeeper to Jens Lehmann and made his debut in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the League Cup in October 2004 (which resulted in a 2-1 win).
The next season, although nonetheless firmly second-choice, after Lehmann noticed purple within the 2006 Champions League remaining, Almunia ended up auditioning on the most important stage of all! The subsequent season, he remained the membership’s cup keeper, however ultimately earned an everyday first-team spot within the 2007/08 season.
Certainly one of his most memorable moments from his debut season as first-choice keeper must be when he saved a penalty from Robbie Keane throughout a Premier League match in opposition to Tottenham, which was essential in Arsenal profitable the North London Derby 2-1.
Santi Cazorla
One other Spanish Arsenal participant who got here throughout from Málaga was Santi Cazorla, who signed a long-term deal for £10 million in August 2012. Beginning off sturdy, he picked up man of the match on his debut in opposition to Sunderland and shortly turned one of many standout gamers of the 2012/13 season – which helped him achieve the title of Arsenal’s Participant of the Season.
Whereas primarily a technical attacking midfielder, he additionally performed in a number of different midfield positions together with central midfielder, winger, and deep-lying playmaker.
Sadly, it was long-term harm points that led to his departure from the squad in 2018 the place his achievements with crew stood at 180 appearances, 29 objectives, an two FA Cup wins (2014 and 2015).
Mikel Arteta
Former Arsenal Spanish participant and captain Mikel Arteta joined the membership from Everton in 2011. He went on to steer the Gunners to consecutive FA Cup victories in 2014 and 2015; the primary of which ended Arsenal’s nine-year trophy drought. Regardless of leaving the membership on the finish of the 2015/16 season, Arsenal followers hadn’t seen the final of Arteta, as he returned as supervisor in December 2019 following a spell at Metropolis as a coach below Guardiola.
Jose Antonio Reyes
Reyes was a left winger and ahead who joined throughout the January switch window of the 2003/04 Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ season. Thought of among the many most promising younger skills on the time, Reyes was a big-money signing for Arsenal with a price of £10.5m ultimately rising to £17m resulting from success-related bonuses.
Reyes began off the 2004/05 season strongly, managing to attain in every of his first six matches. He was additionally named Premier League Participant of the Month for August 2004 and ended the marketing campaign with an FA Cup win.
Regardless of a robust begin, by the top of his profession with the Gunners, Reyes solely managed to attain 23 objectives in 110 matches. The pacy winger returned to Spain in 2006 and had a profitable profession with golf equipment together with Actual Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.
Different Spanish gamers who’ve performed for Arsenal
David Raya
David Raya, the opposite Spanish goalkeeper to seem on this round-up, first performed for Arsenal throughout the 2023/24 season while on mortgage from Brentford. This was an preliminary £3 million mortgage cope with a purchase order possibility of £27 million, which Arsenal activated in July ‘24.
Bringing the Spaniard in completely was a no brainer, contemplating Raya was the outright winner of the 2023/24 Premier League Golden Glove – after maintaining 16 clear sheets that season.
Following a robust first season, in December 2024, he additionally surpassed David Seaman’s file for probably the most clear sheets stored by an Arsenal goalkeeper of their first 50 appearances for the membership (23 vs 22). On condition that file stood unbroken for 31 years, we’re positive followers are wanting ahead to seeing what else is to come back from him.
Dani Ceballos
Initially on a season-long mortgage from Actual Madrid in 2019, Ceballos was fast to impress and offered two assists to defeat Burnley 2-1 in his first begin, the place he additionally deservedly picked up the Man of the Match award. Not solely that, however he performed the complete 90 minutes within the 2020 FA Cup remaining, through which Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1.
With all that in thoughts, it wasn’t a shock when Arsenal pursued one other season-long mortgage for the central midfielder, for the 2020/21 season too. Sadly, the transfer was by no means made everlasting although, and Ceballos returned to his guardian membership Actual Madrid afterwards!
Mikel Merino
A latest signing for Arsenal, Mikel Merino signed a four-year deal within the 2024 summer time switch window for a reported price of £31.6m. Whereas it’s nonetheless early days for the midfielder, he’s already made an influence, and has even helped out up entrance when required. The previous Actual Sociedad man is robust within the deal with and has an eye fixed for purpose, having famously scored the winner for Spain in opposition to Germany within the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Pablo Marí
Centre half Pablo Marí made simply 22 appearances for Arsenal between 2020-23, with most of his time on the membership spent injured or on mortgage overseas. Nonetheless, he was a helpful depth possibility on the again for the Gunners, and followers will probably keep in mind him from the ‘All or Nothing: Arsenal’ docuseries which coated the membership throughout the 2021/22 season.
Lucas Pérez
Making 21 appearances throughout the 2016/17 season, 11 of these being league video games, is Lucas Pérez. Whereas his time with the membership was short-lived, maybe Pérez’ most notable second in Arsenal colors got here when he scored a hat-trick inside 39 minutes throughout the Champions League match in opposition to Basel, a robust effort which in the end helped them go on to win the group.
Fran Mérida
Whereas not essentially a family title, those that keep in mind Fran Mérida might affiliate him with Arsene Wenger’s period of nurturing youth expertise. As a prospect, he signed for the Arsenal academy from Barcelona, within the footsteps of many Gunners earlier than him. Finally, although, regardless of making his aggressive debut on the age of 17, he might solely complete 16 appearances between the years of 2007-10.
Ignasi Miquel
Former Spanish Arsenal defender, Ignasi Miguel, represented the crew on 14 events throughout the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons – together with his Premier League debut coming in August 2011, throughout a match in opposition to Liverpool, after harm to teammate and fellow defender Laurent Koscielny. His handful of appearances in an Arsenal shirt consists of making his Champions League debut, in opposition to Olympiacos in December 2011.
Denis Suárez
Becoming a member of on mortgage from Barcelona for the 2018/19 season, Denis Suárez made a grand complete of six appearances for Arsenal. Whereas he was capable of reunite with head coach on the time, Unai Emery – who he had beforehand labored with at Sevilla – the midfielder didn’t depart an enduring influence, and went on to signal with Celta Vigo the next season.