Arsenal, like many football clubs, have iconic shirt numbers usually reserved for big signings and homegrown talent given the weight left by legends of the past.
For the Gunners, No. 14 stands tall given the ties to their greatest-ever player: Thierry Henry. Other shirt numbers, like 10, might not have the same heaviness to them but still have significant importance given how numbers tie into the sport overall. With the 10, the player most recognised is Henry’s duo up top: Dennis Bergkamp. Though, there is also the likes of the late Kevin Campbell, Paul Merson and many others to wear it before him.
Bergkamp dazzled at Highbury wearing the shirt number. He scored one of the greatest Premier League goals of all time with the number emblazoned on his back against Newcastle United. After Bergkamp, the number was worn by five different players when the Gunners moved to Emirates Stadium. And, no one really lived up to the glory left behind by the Dutchman.
William Gallas, Robin van Persie, Jack Wilshire, Mesut Özil and Emile Smith Rowe are the five names to wear the shirt at the Emirates, though the number is currently vacant after Smith Rowe’s 2024 move to Fulham.
With Eberechi Eze donning the shirt number in his return to the club, he takes on the pressure of the shirt looking to help Arsenal to a major honour. In a transfer that complements other major signings with Viktor Gyökeres taking the 14? Given he wore it with Crystal Palace, it always seemed likely the England midfielder would take the shirt number.
Here’s the full history of the Arsenal No. 10 shirt below including every player to wear it for the Gunners.
