2006
After making a controversial transfer from Tottenham in 2001, Sol Campbell won two league titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal, as well as scoring in the 2006 Champions League final.
Alongside him was Ivorian Kolo Toure – moulded by Wenger from a central midfielder into one of the league’s finest centre-backs.
Both were key parts of Arsenal’s ‘Invincible’ season.
At right-back, Ivorian Emmanuel Eboue was a cult figure at Arsenal under Wenger, making 214 appearances between 2005 – 2011.
Meanwhile, Cole is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the history of the Premier League. He was part of the Gunners’ ‘Invincibles’ side of 2003-04, as well as the Chelsea side that scored a then-record 103 goals in 2009-10.
2026
For Arteta’s side, French centre-back William Saliba is ever reliable and was voted in the Professional Footballers’ Association team of the year three consecutive seasons between 2023 and 2025.
Alongside him, Gabriel is another contender for Arsenal’s player of the season. As well as being solid at the back, he ended the Premier League season with seven goal involvements (three goals, four assists).
Since 2000, the pair rank second behind Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in terms of Premier League partnerships with the most clean sheets.
With Ben White injured, Arsenal fans will be hoping that Dutch defender Jurrien Timber can make it back from injury in time to play right-back against PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Meanwhile, Arteta has options at left-back and has rotated this season between Italian full-back Riccardo Calafiori, Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie and academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly.