Ian Wright was a late bloomer, earning his first professional contract at the age of 21, but boy, did he make the most of the opportunity to become an English footballing hero. Born in Woolwich, London, his rise to footballing superstardom started at Crystal Palace and reached fever pitch at Arsenal.
A potent striker, he found the back of the net 241 times in 441 club games, including a hat-trick for the Gunners against Bolton Wanderers in 1997. This broke Cliff Bastin's long-standing all-time goalscoring record for the North Londoners, but he wasn't just about goals as he was a proper team player, thriving alongside the likes of Paul Merson and Dennis Bergkamp.
Wrighty has told fascinating stories about his playing days while working as a pundit in his post-career. He describes just how formidable his former teammates were and the challenges of facing football's greats during his time. In 2016, FourFourTwo handed him the difficult task of naming a 'perfect' XI of such players.
David Seaman
Goalkeeper
David Seaman is often named in any Arsenal best-ever XI, and he was between the sticks during Wrighty's spell at Highbury. The English goalkeeper could pull off some outrageous saves, such as the one to deny Sheffield United's Paul Peschisolido in the FA Cup semi-final in 2002-03.
The 6-foot-3-inch Seaman was a commander of his box, an example for England's shot-stoppers to look up to. He finished his career as the nation's second-most capped keeper. He was also key in helping the Gunners win three league titles, including in his debut season with 24 clean sheets in 38 games.
"Undoubtedly the best. He didn't dive for the sake of diving or make a flash save from something straightforward. A great shot-stopper, his massive presence filtered through to the defence." - Wright.
David Seaman's Career (England & Arsenal)
Team:
Appearances:
Clean Sheets:
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
Trophies Won:
Cafu
Right-back
Cafu
There haven't been many more gifted right-backs to grace the sport than Brazilian legend Cafu, who lifted the World Cup as Selecao's captain in 2002. He was a dynamic full-back whose tireless energy allowed him to shine at wing-back for the South Americans, constantly offering an outlet on the overlap.
Cafu is the most-capped player in Brazil's history and was at his best in their 2-1 win over England en route to glory. He also made history at club level, particularly for AC Milan where he starred in a Rossoneri side that won six major trophies including the UEFA Champions League in 2007.
"This guy's amazing. What is he now, 37? Yet he's still going. He doesn't need to be the best defensively: teams are so worried about him going forward that he doesn't have to defend as much as other full-backs. Sometimes attack is the best form of defence." - Wright.
|Cafu's Career|
|Team:|Brazil|AS Roma|AC Milan|
|Appearances:|143|218|166|
|Goals:|5|8|4|
|Assists:|18|35|22|
|Yellow Cards:|23|36|22|
|Red Cards:|2|1|0|
|Trophies Won:|World Cup 2x, Copa America 2x|Serie A, Italian Super Cup|Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, Serie A, UEFA Super Cup, Italian Super Cup|
|---|
Tony Adams
Centre-back
There's a reason Tony Adams is known as 'Mr Arsenal'. He spent his entire career with the Gunners and was a colossal presence at the back. The English icon displayed bravery each time he took to the pitch, prepared to put his body on the line to ensure his side had the upper hand.
Adams' leadership was inspiring. He galvanised his teammates during the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s while also coming up with several important goals. He captained the North London giants during three decades while helping them win four league titles and multiple FA Cups.
"Captain. A great defender and a great leader. He was so inspirational and was able to get the best out of those around him. Great in the air and not bad on the floor as well; with him around the defence would definitely be organised." - Wright.
|Tony Adams' Career (England & Arsenal)|
|Team:|England|Arsenal|
|Appearances:|66|656|
|Goals:|5|48|
|Assists:|1|11|
|Yellow Cards:|4|53|
|Red Cards:|0|5|
|Trophies Won:|None|Premier League 4x, European Cup Winners' Cup, FA Cup 3x, League Cup 2x|
|---|
Fabio Cannavaro
Centre-back
Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro is one of only three defenders to win the Ballon d'Or, claiming the award in 2006 to cap off a phenomenal year for the Italian. He was an immovable object in his country's World Cup triumph that year, and his terrific tackling abilities often keep the world's best attackers at bay.
That said, Wright did have his number in England's 2-0 friendly in June 1997, scoring and assisting. But the Parma legend was the commander-in-chief who helped the Italian outfit win two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup. There perhaps isn't a nation more accomplished at defending than Gli Azzurri and Cannavaro was their rock during his international career.
"It takes some defender to win the World Player of the Year. I'm quite pleased that when I played against Napoli and Italy, I gave him the runaround. Considering he went on to be one of the best defenders of all time, that's my claim to fame." - Wright.
|Fabio Cannavaro's Career (Italy, Parma & Juventus)|
|Team:|Italy|Parma|Juventus|
|Appearances:|136|290|128|
|Goals:|2|6|7|
|Assists:|2|2|1|
|Yellow Cards:|21|63|20|
|Red Cards:|0|7|2|
|Trophies Won:|World Cup|UEFA Cup, Italian Cup 2x, Italian Super Cup|0|
|---|
Fabio Cannavaro Italy Related
Fabio Cannavaro Named the One Legend he 'Always' Feared Playing Against
The former Ballon d'Or faced off against some incredible players over the years, but only ever feared one man on the football pitch
Paolo Maldini
Left-back
Paolo Maldini
If you want the perfect example of how dominant Italians are at defending, Paolo Maldini ticks all the boxes. The AC Milan hero was a monster and a daunting prospect for forwards to come up against because of his incredible reading of the game and positional awareness.
Maldini's 25-year career is one only fans can dream of. He rose to the top of European football and captained Milan to unprecedented trophy success, shining at left-back and slotting into central defence. He won the European title five times, and many regard him as the best defender in history, alongside Germany's great Franz Beckenbauer.
"You have to be a special player to perform so consistently for such a long time. There aren't many players who have done this for such a big club. He's also a great-looking guy. He's got everything going for him. Unlike Roberto Carlos, he can defend as well as attack. That's why he's in." - Wright.
|Paolo Maldini's Career|
|Team:|Italy|AC Milan|
|Appearances:|126|901|
|Goals:|7|33|
|Assists:|5|43|
|Yellow Cards:|9|94|
|Red Cards:|0|3|
|Trophies Won:|0|UCL 3x, ECCC 2x, FIFA Club World Cup, Serie A 7x, UEFA Super Cup 4x, Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup 5x|
|---|
Zinedine Zidane
Right-midfield
Zinedine Zidane
Special moments were typical for Zinedine Zidane who lit up European football with his elegant playing style that often left fans mesmerised. A sublime volley in Real Madrid's win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League final and a brilliant brace in France's 1998 World Cup final victory against Brazil were just two of countless times he came to the fore.
Zidane did everything with style and he deservedly claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1998 as well as the FIFA World Player of the Year three times. Poetry in motion was the best way to describe Zizou at his best and his footballing IQ saw him become a massive success as a Madrid manager after hanging up his boots.
"He was one of those players that you watch even when you're playing against him, because he's so good. He always seemed to find time on the pitch, whether it's to control the ball or find a pass. He made it look so easy. With him in the team, it wouldn't lack creativity." -Wright.
|Zinedine Zidane's Career (France & Real Madrid)|
|Team:|France|Real Madrid|
|Appearances:|108|227|
|Goals:|31|49|
|Assists:|29|67|
|Yellow Cards:|12|29|
|Red Cards:|2|3|
|Trophies Won:|World Cup, European Championship|Champions League, La Liga, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup 2x|
|---|
Patrick Vieira
Centre midfield
Arsene Wenger recommended the Gunners sign Patrick Vieira in the summer before he was unveiled as manager in October 1996. It proved to be one of the club's best decisions as the French midfielder quickly became the heartbeat of the team, a physical specimen who was accomplished in pretty much area of the pitch.
Wright was coming into the end of his seven-year spell at Highbury when Vieira arrived but they were still able to share the pitch for two seasons. There's no doubt the Frenchman's greatest feat was captaining the Invincibles team of the 2003-04 season and he was on target in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur to help clinch the title on enemy territory.
"Another leader and natural-born winner. He has everything you could want from a midfielder. He can attack, defend and score goals. He's brilliant at taking the ball in tight spots in the middle of the park and starting attacks; that's what he'd do for this team." - Wright.
|Patrick Vieira's Career (France & Arsenal)|
|Team:|France|Arsenal|
|Appearances:|107|405|
|Goals:|6|32|
|Assists:|12|47|
|Yellow Cards:|13|98|
|Red Cards:|1|10|
|Trophies Won:|World Cup, European Championship|Premier League 3x, FA Cup 4x|
|---|
Roy Keane
Centre midfield
Roy Keane
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's "GOAT" debate often comes to mind when thinking of individual football rivalries. But the Premier League hasn't seen a better clash of the titans than when Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane scrapped it out during the peak of Arsenal's rivalry with Manchester United.
Keane was a no-nonsense midfield general who wore the captain's armband like a badge of honour, demanding nothing more than victory while skippering Red Devils. Many forget how gifted the Irishman was on the ball and his performance in United's semi-final win over Juventus en route to a continental treble is up there with the very best in European history.
"Another consistently excellent leader, again able to do both parts of a midfielder's job better than most. Alongside Vieira, one could sit back while the other spins forward. With those two there the defence will always have cover, while the attackers will always have support." - Wright.
|Roy Keane's Career (Republic of Ireland & Man United)|
|Team:|Republic of Ireland|Man United|
|Appearances:|67|479|
|Goals:|10|51|
|Assists:|5|41|
|Yellow Cards:|10|90|
|Red Cards:|1|11|
|Trophies Won:|0|Champions League, Premier League 7x, FA Cup 4x|
|---|
Ryan Giggs
Left-midfield
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs' solo-goal in Manchester United's win against Arsenal in the 1999 FA Cup semi-finals is one of the best individual goals in history. Wright had left by that stage but the Welshman had already showcased his dribbling talent during the English striker's time at Highbury.
The Red Devils were set at left-wing for 24 years upon Giggs' graduation as a member of the class of 92'. His knowledge of the game allowed him to move into central midfield during the twilight years of his career. The Gunners grew sick of Sir Alex Ferguson's stranglehold of the Premier League and his Welsh wizard was one of the major driving forces behind 13 title wins.
"Giggs would provide the pace in the midfield. Another player who's been brilliant over a long period of time, he's almost the perfect winger as he can dribble, cross and score goals, while being comfortable out wide, in the middle or behind the front man." - Wright.
|Ryan Giggs' Career (Wales & Man United)|
|Team:|Wales|Man United|
|Appearances:|64|963|
|Goals:|12|168|
|Assists:|7|268|
|Yellow Cards:|3|50|
|Red Cards:|1|0|
|Trophies Won:|0|Champions League 2x, Premier League 13x, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup 4x, League Cup 4x|
|---|
Alan Shearer
Forward
Alan Shearer
Ian Wright was the perfect forward to place in a front-two as we learned from his time leading the line at Crystal Palace alongside Mark Bright. He had problems earning regular game time on the international front, three being the highest number of games he started consecutively. But he could have no argument that Alan Shearer warranted the Three Lions' number nine shirt.
The Newcastle United legend was the ultimate goalscorer whose talismanic showings at St James' Park resulted in him becoming the Premier League's all-time top scorer. It's perhaps worth pondering how much more successful England would have been if they'd used Wrighty with Shearer on more than 11 occasions.
"Shearer was the archetypal centre-forward who could head, shoot with his left and right foot and hold the ball up as well as anybody in the world. He was a heroic type of player too – the one others in the team would look up to." - Wright.
|Alan Shearer's Career (England & Newcastle)|
|Team:|England|Newcastle|
|Appearances:|63|405|
|Goals:|30|206|
|Assists:|11|58|
|Yellow Cards:|5|45|
|Red Cards:|0|2|
|Trophies Won:|0|0|
|---|