It would be fair to say that Arsenal have had some of the best goalkeepers ever to grace professional football during their illustrious history.
Many of them have been the scourge of online bookmakers, delivering winning returns to punters who wagered on them to keep clean sheets.
Leading sportsbook 1xbet now keeps a close eye on David Raya’s exploits, given he has established himself as one of the top goalies in the Premier League.
However, the Spaniard has a long way to go before he can be talked about in the same breath as some of the club’s most legendary goalkeepers.
David Seaman
When Arsenal were linked with a move for David Seaman in 1990, their fans made it clear to then-manager George Graham that they preferred John Lukic.
However, the club’s £1.3 million outlay on Seaman proved to be an inspired decision as he became the foundation on which their subsequent successes were built.
His excellent positional sense, sharp reflexes and ability to deal with crosses worked perfectly in tandem with Arsenal’s often impregnable back four.
‘One-Nil to the Arsenal’ became a well-worn mantra as the Gunners repeatedly frustrated opponents before nicking a vital goal.
Seaman subsequently starred under Arsene Wenger, helping the team win league and cup doubles in 1997/98 and 2001/02.
His stunning save from Sheffield United’s Paul Peschisolido in an FA Cup semi-final in April 2003 remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of the competition.
Arsenal subsequently lifted the trophy after beating Southampton in the final, and another clean sheet was a fitting way for Seaman to end his career with the club.
Eight major trophies were an excellent return for a man dubbed ‘Safe Hands’ by the media and who deserves his status as Arsenal’s best goalkeeper of all time.
Pat Jennings
Given that Pat Jennings spent 13 years with Tottenham Hotspur, it seems unthinkable that he subsequently became an Arsenal legend.
However, the Northern Ireland goalkeeper defied convention by becoming a fan favourite after crossing the divide to join the Gunners.
Spurs manager Keith Burkinshaw undoubtedly dropped a huge clanger when he decided Jennings was past his best and allowed him to sign for Arsenal.
Jennings made 327 appearances for the Gunners and played a key role as Arsenal won the 1978/79 FA Cup final by defeating Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
Arsenal supporter Aidan Corey summed up the affection fans have for Jennings by overlooking his previous connection to the club’s biggest rivals.
“Pat was a major favourite of mine and came to visit my high school in the late 1980s,” he told Arsenal’s official website. “I think the excitement was too much for me and I forgot my school tie, which meant I got detention on the day of his visit.
“Fortunately, the teacher took pity on me and loaned me a tie so I could go to his presentation – still didn’t stop me from finishing the detention later!
“I walked past Pat and his wife last year at Trinity University on Grafton Street in Dublin but didn’t manage to ask him for an autograph as I was too awe-struck. To me he never played for that lot down the road – he’ll always be a ‘Gooner’.
Frank Moss
Frank Moss joined Arsenal from Oldham Athletic for £3,000 in November 1931 and made the first of his 143 league appearances at Chelsea the following day.
He enjoyed six productive years with the Gunners, winning the First Division title three times during a memorable era for the club.
Moss was renowned for his bravery, demonstrating no fear when confronting attackers who breached Arsenal’s defensive line.
He was a key part of an innovative era under manager Herbert Chapman, who is credited with employing the ‘sweeper keeper’ system long before it became fashionable.
Moss is famed for scoring the first goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton in 1933 – a result that meant the Gunners won the English title.
He was taken out of goal after suffering a dislocated shoulder but stayed on the pitch as a left winger. Moss bagged the only goal of his career to fire Arsenal to glory.
With medical treatments not as advanced as today, Moss struggled to shrug off the injury and was eventually forced to retire as a player aged 27.
Moss also played five times for England. He notably kept a clean sheet on his debut against Scotland in 1934 and starred as England defeated world champions Italy the following year.
Jack Kelsey
While Arsenal fans did not have much to cheer about during the 1950s and 1960s, goalkeeper Jack Kelsey was a rare shining light for them.
He made his Arsenal debut in a 5-2 home defeat to Charlton Athletic in 1951 and subsequently made more than 300 appearances for the club.
Moss was another goalkeeper who redefined how the position was perceived, taking the ‘sweeper keeper’ ethos to even more expansive heights than Moss.
He was also a regular starter for Wales and was in goal when they played at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. This was their only finals appearance until 2022.
They were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Brazil, who dubbed him ‘the cat with magnetic paws’ following his stellar performance.
Kelsey also played for the Great Britain team against a Rest of Europe side in 1955 and for The Football League XI against the Scottish Football League XI five years later.
He displaced two vertebrae at the base of his spine while playing for Wales in 1962 and was forced to retire from playing.
Kelsey was subsequently appointed as the commercial manager at Arsenal and served the club with distinction in this role until 1989.
