Nigel Winterburn is the first member of our Dream Team who had a real fight on their hands to earn a place in the starting XI.
Click here to watch the hour-long special 'Arsenal Legends - Nigel Winterburn'
David Seaman was a shoo-in for the goalkeeping spot and Lee Dixon
comfortably saw off Pat Rice at right back, but Nigel had much stiffer
competition. The manner of Ashley Cole's departure in 2006 angered many
Arsenal fans but he pushed his predecessor all the way in our summer
poll.
Ultimately Nigel pipped the 'Invincible' by 46 per cent to 38 and he
is well worth his place in our all-time XI. After all, who on earth
would have wanted to face Winterburn at his peak?
Influenced by his childhood admiration for Leeds United and toughened
by four years with Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang', Nigel arrived at the Club
in 1987 and replaced a veritable Arsenal legend, Kenny Sansom, within a
year.
Like the England international, Nigel loved to get forward and he
enjoyed a particularly productive left-flank partnership with Marc
Overmars later in his career. His early years were notable for his
finest goal in a red and white shirt, a vicious long-range effort
against Wimbledon with his (usually) weaker right foot.
Chelsea were other notable victims of Nigel's penchant for
spectacular shooting but, of course, the Dream Team's No 3 did his best
work at the other end of the pitch. You'd be hard pushed to think of a
more tenacious defender, a more determined character and a better
tackler than the long-serving left back.
Nigel gave 13 years to Arsenal, won a hatful of medals, never let the
Club down and fully deserves this latest accolade. The all-time XI's
full backs are firmly in place.
NO 3 NIGEL WINTERBURN
Left back
Appearances: 584
Goals: 12
Selected in 46 per cent of teams
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