Wenger’s best Arsenal XI?

Arsene Wenger held his first press conference as Arsenal manager 20 years ago on Thursday. Former Gunners striker Alan Smith picks the best 11 players to feature for the club during his tenure….

Wenger was officially unveiled as Bruce Rioch’s successor on 22 September 1996 after being released early from his contract by J-League club Nagoya Grampus.

In the intervening 20 years in charge of the north London club, Wenger has produced three title-winning teams containing a plethora of world-class stars.

We asked Smith, who scored 115 goals for Arsenal between 1987 and 1995, to select the best line-up of players to have graced the club in that period….

David Seaman

I played with Dave, a top-class ‘keeper who filled the goal and had an unflappable nature. Jens Lehmann is obviously in with a very good shout, but Jens had that side to him where he might do something silly, and Dave never did and he was incredibly consistent.

Lee Dixon

I have gone for ‘Dicko’ at right back. Lauren and Bacary Sagna are obviously two that rival him, but I went for Lee for his longevity, while he was also a very consistent player, difficult to beat in a one on one. Not the most creative player going forward, but the job of a full-back is to defend.

Tony Adams

Centre-halves were not easy at all, but Tony was captain fantastic and all the rest of it. I played with him for eight years. His inclusion speaks for itself really. He was a fantastic leader and a very, very good player.

Laurent Koscielny

The other centre-half is difficult – Sol Campbell, Martin Keown, …

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