Arsenal Football Club is known for great players and glorious times. However, beyond the stars, the club has witnessed its share of odd, eccentric, and utterly bizarre players. These guys are different than your average football player, known more for their odd behavioral traits and quirky personalities or habits. Now, without further ado, here are the 14 weird players in Arsenal history!
Bacary Sagna
Career at Arsenal: 2007–2014
Matches: 185
Sagna was a calm and solid defender. What made him weird? His hair! In the world of football, he sported one of the coolest and strangest hairdos ever. Fans found a peculiar aspect of his Peter Pan persona amusing.
Glenn Helder
Career at Arsenal: 1995–1997
Matches: 33
Helder, a renowned player from the Netherlands, struggled to succeed at Arsenal. He was an eccentric person with gambling issues. Also, he was committed to a psychiatric ward and narrowly escaped prison. Despite his eccentricity, he garnered enough respect to receive an invitation to a testimonial match for Dennis Bergkamp.
Nicklas Bendtner
Career at Arsenal: 2004–2014 (with loans)
Matches: 157
Bendtner was skilled but unbelievably cocky. Originally, he claimed to be “one of the best strikers in the world” and compared himself to movie stars. He even wore shiny pink boots during his games. His confidence, in fact, soared to the point that a psychologist joked he gave himself a 10 out of 9 for skill!
John Jensen
Career at Arsenal: 1992–1996
Matches: 132
Jensen was a hard-working midfielder but did not score many goals at all—one in 98 appearances! When he did score, fans had shirts that said, “I saw John Jensen score.” He also gained a reputation for having a fiery temper and conducting stinging, incisive interviews.
Nicolas Anelka
Career at Arsenal: 1997–1999
Matches: 89
Anelka was exceptionally gifted but had an odd, sulky attitude. He would throw tantrums and get into arguments with teammates over the pettiest of issues. Nevertheless, he was one of the team’s best players and was awarded PFA Young Player of the Year.
Alan Sunderland
Career at Arsenal: 1977–1984
Matches: 278
Sunderland is probably best remembered for his winning goal in the 1979 FA Cup Final. He had a huge, curly hairdo and would say “you know” a lot. He was not the brightest, but he was a loyal and tough player.
Nwankwo Kanu
Career at Arsenal: 1999–2004
Matches: 173
Kanu was a lovable, eccentric player with a big smile. He sometimes seemed disinterested, but he could surprise everyone with great skills. Nwankwo entertained fans with his quirky dance moves and two-finger salutes. He did a great deal of charity work off the pitch and was a UNICEF ambassador.
Charlie George
Career at Arsenal: 1966–1975
Matches: 179
George was a gritty forward with a wild side. He had previously headbutted a player and acted vulgarly towards fans. He was beloved, however, for his long hair and his zest on the field.
Pascal Cygan
Career at Arsenal: 2002–2006
Matches: 98
Cygan was a great defender but never really popular with fans. He was very bald and had a serious look. He rarely gave interviews and seemed a bit strange off the field.
Fredrik Ljungberg
Career at Arsenal: 1998–2007
Matches: 313
One of Arsenal’s finest midfielders, Ljungberg was equally famous for his wild hairstyles like bright mohawks and spikes. He also used to model some unusual work, and most of the time almost nude, which made him stand out.
Alexandre Song
Career at Arsenal: 2006–2012
Matches: 166
Song was an excellent defensive mid but had some bizarre looks, from yellow mohawks to dyed afros. His unconventional fashion choices left his teammates often perplexed.
Jens Lehmann
Career at Arsenal: 2003-2008, 2011
Matches: 195
Lehmann was a world-class keeper who was on the “Invincibles” team. But he was also a terrible child on the pitch—fighting, diving, yelling, sulking, and smiling all in a single match. His wild personality made him unforgettable.
Peter Storey
Career at Arsenal: 1961–1977
Matches: 501
Storey was a great midfield player but lived a wild private life away from the field. He broke the law by operating a brothel, stealing cars, etc. Still, he is a club legend.
Emmanuel Eboué
Career at Arsenal: 2005–2011
Matches: 214
Eboué was one of the most popular and unusual Arsenal players. He was always high on energy, dancing, jumping around, and smiling. And fans were so enamored with him that they chanted, ‘We only came to see Eboué.’ He left Arsenal to join Galatasaray but is still popular.
Conclusion
Arsenal’s history is replete with both supremely talented players and some bizarre and strange characters. These players brought a variety of unique elements to the club, from crazy wigs and odd behavior to controversial characters and off-the-pitch incidents. Whether they are loved or laughed at, they all made their mark on Arsenal’s story, adding more color and interest to the club’s history.
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Sources:
- www.bleacherreport.com/articles/886926-arsenal-fc-the-top-13-weirdest-players-in-the-gunners-history
All images from Arsenal.com
