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Arsenal legend springs several surprises in Ultimate XI

By on March 1, 2024

Henry Vieira Arsenal

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman played with some of the finest players to represent the club during his 13-year spell with the Gunners.

The teams Seaman featured in were regularly the scourge of online bookmakers as they claimed 11 trophies including three Premier League titles.

Arsenal were regularly towards the top of the Premier League odds list to win the title when Seaman was in goal, although they often had to play second fiddle to Manchester United.

His tally of 564 appearances for Arsenal places him sixth on the all-time list and three of the five players ahead of him feature in his Ultimate XI.

David Seaman’s Ultimate Arsenal XI

  • GK: David Seaman
  • RB: Lee Dixon
  • CB: Tony Adams
  • CB: Steve Bould
  • LB: Nigel Winterburn
  • CM: Patrick Vieira
  • CM: Emmanuel Petit
  • CM: Robert Pires
  • FW: Thierry Henry
  • FW: Dennis Bergkamp
  • FW: Ian Wright

“We’re starting off with me in goal, obviously,” Seaman told Betway. “I’m going with the Arsenal back four, starting with a certain Mr [Lee] Dixon. You would have him in your team all day long.

“I remember some of the battles he had with (David) Ginola, and he often won.

“Left-back – Nigel Winterburn was here when I first joined the club and was a fantastic left-back. And then, Steve Bould. He played in the time when the first tackle was free. Boy, did he make use of that!

“And then, Mr Dependable – Captain Fantastic – Tony Adams.”

Seaman’s decision to omit Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole from his team may raise eyebrows among the club’s fanbase and it is a similar story in midfield.

Arsenal generally employed a 4-4-2 system during Seaman’s time with the club, but he has opted to go with a 4-3-3 set-up for the purposes of his Ultimate XI.

This has left no room for Ray Parlour, Paul Merson or Cesc Fabregas, all of whom have strong claims to be included in the line-up.

Two of his three picks in midfield are impossible to argue with, but questions can be asked about the player who completes the trio.

“My midfield is Patrick Vieria – what a leader, what a captain, what a player,” Seamann added. “He would be joined by Manu Petit doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

“He was a brilliant left-footed player, so he’s going on the left side of midfield.

“And then I’m going with Mr [Robert] Pires. A very underrated player, but what a brilliant player. That French midfield there won a lot of trophies.”

While Pires’ inclusion in a three-man midfield gives an unbalanced look to the team, Seaman will point to his trio of forwards as justification for his decision.

Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright all gained legendary status with Arsenal and leaving any of them out is an impossible task.

Seaman described his strike force as ‘not a bad forward line’ and it appears he is the master of understatement in addition to being a superb goalkeeper.