From the moment David Seaman arrived at Arsenal, he was a hit with the Highbury crowd.
The goalkeeper’s sustained excellence saw him become the cornerstone of a rock-solid defence and he’s the obvious candidate between the posts for our all-time Arsenal XI.
The Yorkshireman’s qualities were manifold - he had sharp reflexes, excellent positional sense, great judgement from crosses and bags of courage. Attributes that ensure the Dream Team is in safe hands.
"People forget but he works hard in training and he gets the reward for that. He is an example of professionalism and a great example for the young goalkeepers."
Arsène Wenger
Seaman started his Arsenal career behind the Back Four of Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould and Tony Adams - which kept 24 clean sheets and conceded just 18 goals en route to the 1990/91 League title. It would not be a surprise if some of those stalwarts join the keeper in the all-time XI.
Seaman's heroics were a feature of Arsenal's unprecedented domestic Cup double in 1993 - he saved three penalties in a shoot-out at Millwall in the League Cup – and he was at it again a year later as Parma’s stellar cast of Zola, Brolin and Asprilla were kept at bay in the Final of the European Cup Winners' Cup.
Making crucial saves at vital times is a key characteristic of any world-class custodian and Seaman maintained his fine form under Arsène Wenger as Doubles were secured in 1998 and 2002.
Even when he was apparently on the wane, Seaman’s reflexes and judgment silenced the critics. During the 1,000th appearance of his career, he produced arguably his finest save to deny Sheffield United a late equaliser in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Old Trafford.
It’s moments like this that earned him a place ahead of Bob Wilson and Pat Jennings. Arsenal’s all-time XI has its No 1.
NO 1 DAVID SEAMAN
Goalkeeper
Appearances: 564
Selected in 80 per cent of teams
"We all know we're losing a great player but what you maybe don't know about David is that he's a great human being. He was more than a player - he was like a dad to all of us. What we'll miss most is him in the dressing room. It was great for me to have him around. I talked with him a lot after lunch or dinner and that did me good because he knows about football and has had a great career."
Thierry Henry
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