From the moment David Seaman arrived at Arsenal, he was a hit with the Highbury crowd.
The goalkeeper’s sustained excellence saw him become the cornerstone
of a rock-solid defence and he’s the obvious candidate between the posts
for our all-time Arsenal XI.
The Yorkshireman’s qualities were manifold - he had sharp reflexes,
excellent positional sense, great judgement from crosses and bags of
courage. Attributes that ensure the Dream Team is in safe hands.
Seaman started his Arsenal career behind the Back Four of Lee Dixon,
Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould and Tony Adams - which kept 24 clean
sheets and conceded just 18 goals en route to the 1990/91 League title.
It would not be a surprise if some of those stalwarts join the keeper in
the all-time XI.
Seaman's heroics were a feature of Arsenal's unprecedented domestic
Cup double in 1993 - he saved three penalties in a shoot-out at Millwall
in the League Cup – and he was at it again a year later as Parma’s
stellar cast of Zola, Brolin and Asprilla were kept at bay in the Final
of the European Cup Winners' Cup.
Making crucial saves at vital times is a key characteristic of any
world-class custodian and Seaman maintained his fine form under Arsène
Wenger as Doubles were secured in 1998 and 2002.
Even when he was apparently on the wane, Seaman’s reflexes and
judgment silenced the critics. During the 1,000th appearance of his
career, he produced arguably his finest save to deny Sheffield United a
late equaliser in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Old Trafford.
It’s moments like this that earned him a place ahead of Bob Wilson and Pat Jennings. Arsenal’s all-time XI has its No 1.
Goalkeeper
Appearances: 564
Selected in 80 per cent of teams
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