Pascal Cygan
The Arsenal A-Z
Football historian LEIGH EDWARDS profiles every Arsenal player from 60 post-war League seasons
GEORGE CURTIS
Skilful inside-forward George Curtis played for Arsenal either side
of the Second World War. Initially with Anglo (Purfleet), he joined
Arsenal in December 1936 and made his League debut in the 2-1 win
at home to Blackpool in April 1939. He played 13 First Division
games for the Gunners before joining Southampton with Tommy Rudkin
in exchange for Don Roper in August 1947. Starring in successive
promotion near-misses, he moved to Valenciennes in August 1952,
then was Chelmsford City's player-coach. He later coached
around the world, including Norway's national side, and died in
Basildon in November 2004.
PASCAL CYGAN
French central defender Pascal Cygan featured in Arsenal's
record-breaking 2003/04 Premiership title campaign. Starting with
Valenciennes, he played for Wasquehal and Lille before moving to
Highbury in August 2002. He made his Premiership debut in
Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Chelsea the following month and provided
reliable defensive cover for Martin Keown and Lauren. Featuring in
the 2004 FA Community Shield success, he scored twice in the
Gunners' 4-1 win at home to Fulham in August 2005 and three
times in 63 Premiership games overall before following Robert Pires
to Villarreal in August 2006.
RAY DANIEL
Welsh international centre-half Ray Daniel was a key figure in
Arsenal's 1952/53 League Championship success. A former Swansea
amateur, he signed professional at Highbury in October 1946 and
made his League debut in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Charlton in May
1949. He succeeded Leslie Compton in the heart of defence and
played in the 1952 FA Cup final, netting five goals in 87 First
Division games before being sold to Sunderland for £27,500 in
June 1953. Later with Cardiff City, Swansea and Hereford United
player-boss, he worked in the licensed trade and was a
sub-postmaster in Swansea. He died in November 1997.
TOMAS DANILEVICIUS
Lithuania international striker Tomas Danilevicius briefly played
for Arsenal during the 2000/01 campaign. He had spells with Baltai,
Atlantas, Beveren, Brugge and Lausanne before Arsène Wenger
signed him in December 2000, having impressed on trial with
Arsenal, scoring in a pre-season friendly against Barcelona. Given
his Premiership debut as a substitute in that month's 2-2 draw
at home to Sunderland, he also featured in the next match at
Charlton and FA Cup Third Round win at Carlisle. He was loaned to
Dunfermline before rejoining Beveren in July 2001 and has since
played for Italian sides Livorno and Avellino.
ROGER DAVIDSON
Ex-England Schoolboy midfielder Roger Davidson helped Arsenal win
the Football Combination title in 1968/69. Locally born, he signed
professional at Highbury in October 1965 and his solitary First
Division appearance for Arsenal was as substitute in the 2-0 defeat
at home to Wolves in March 1968. He featured in that season's
Football Combination Cup Final success and moved to Portsmouth in
June 1969. Joining Fulham in August 1970, he was a member of their
1970/71 promotion winning squad and later played for Lincoln City
and Aldershot. He has since been a black cab driver and is still in
contact with fellow Islington Gunner, Charlie George.
PAUL DAVIES
Former Welsh Schoolboy striker Paul Davies featured in
Arsenal's 1971 FA Youth Cup final triumph. The younger brother
of Southampton and Wales striker Ron Davies, he turned professional
at Highbury in November 1969 and helped the Gunners win the
Football Combination title that season. His solitary First Division
appearance was as a substitute in Arsenal's 4-2 victory at home
to Newcastle United in October 1971 and he was sold to Charlton
Athletic for £8,000 in November 1972 after a loan spell. He
joined Romford in March 1975 where injury ended his career. Now a
London black cab driver in Hatfield.
PAUL DAVIS
Long-serving England U-21 midfielder Paul Davis featured in
Arsenal's 1988/89 and 1990/91 League Championship successes.
Signing professional at Highbury in July 1979, he made his League
debut in Arsenal's 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur nine months
later and starred as the Gunners were semi-finalists in the FA Cup
and League Cup in 1983. He was a League Cup winner in 1987 and
finalist again in 1988, then helped Arsenal win the FA Cup and
League Cup in 1993. Scoring 30 goals in 351 League outings before
joining Brentford in September 1995, he is now a Legends tour guide
at Emirates Stadium.
JOHN DEVINE
Versatile Republic of Ireland international right-back John Devine
was capped eight times whilst at Arsenal. A former apprentice at
Highbury, he turned professional in October 1976 and made his
League debut in the Gunners' 3-1 victory at Leeds United in
April 1978. He played for Arsenal in the 1980 FA Cup final and
succeeded Pat Rice in defence, making 89 First Division appearances
prior to joining Norwich City in August 1983. Moving to Stoke City
in November 1985, he played in Norway, then for Shamrock Rovers and
Indian side East Bengal Tigers. He is now coaching youth football
in his native Dublin.
Abou Diaby
French Youth midfielder Abou Diaby is a current member of
Arsenal's squad. Previously with Auxerre, he joined the Gunners
during the January 2006 transfer window and made his Premiership
debut in that month's 1-0 defeat at Everton. He quickly
impressed with several strong displays and his tall, slender frame
and tough-tackling style led to immediate comparisons to former
Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. His solitary goal in 12 Premiership
games last season came in the Gunners' 5-0 victory at home to
Aston Villa but he is currently sidelined by an ankle injury
suffered in the 3-0 win at Sunderland in May.
KABA DIAWARA
Former French U-21 striker Kaba Diawara helped Arsenal finish
Premiership runners-up in 1998/99. Initially with hometown Toulon,
he starred for Girondins de Bordeaux prior to joining the Gunners
in January 1999. He regularly featured as a substitute, playing 12
Premiership games for Arsenal before being sold to Marseille in
June 1999. Moving to Paris St Germain six months later, he had loan
spells at Blackburn, West Ham, Racing Ferrol and Nice prior to
joining Al-Ittihad in September 2003. He has since played for
Ajaccio in France and commenced an international career with
Guinea.
PAUL DICKOV
Scotland international striker Paul Dickov was a member of
Arsenal's triumphant 1994 ECWC squad. Signing professional at
Highbury in December 1990, he made his Premiership debut in the
Gunners' 4-3 victory at home to Southampton in March 1993. He
regularly featured as a substitute and netted three goals in 21
Premiership games before being sold to Manchester City for
£1,000,000 in August 1996. Starring in three promotion
campaigns, he joined Leicester City in February 2002 and was top
scorer in their 2002/03 promotion success. He then played for
Blackburn Rovers before rejoining Manchester City in May 2006.
BILL DICKSON
Northern Ireland international wing-half Bill Dickson was capped
three times whilst at Arsenal. Initially with Glenavon, he joined
Notts County in November 1945 and moved to Chelsea as part of the
Tommy Lawton deal in November 1947. Tom Whittaker paid £15,000
for him in October 1953 but he was unlucky with injuries and his
only goal in 29 First Division games came in Arsenal's 3-3 draw
at home to Charlton Athletic five months later. He moved to
Mansfield Town in July 1956, then rejoined Glenavon in January
1958. Returning to his trade as a joiner, he scouted for Arsenal
and now lives in Lurgan in retirement.
