Since the Herbert Chapman glorious era of the 1930s, Arsenal Football Club has been a highly respected name in world football.
In the years following WWII, Arsenal experienced fluctuating fortunes on the pitch. From the barren 1950s and 1960s, through their successes of the early 1970s and subsequent decline, halted by the arrival of George Graham and then re-energised by Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have, in common with all other clubs, experienced seasons of mid-table relative mediocrity as well as years of domestic and European success at the highest levels.
However, even during their leaner spells, Arsenal always fielded players of the highest calibre and class: footballers whose talents, determination and abilities provided the backbone to the club’s performances. Under the stewardship of the astute and tactically innovative Wenger, Arsenal have flourished as never before, fielding largely foreign players whose exceptional skills have propelled the club into the company of Europe’s footballing elite. Wenger’s players have become household names due to their artistry and often scintillating teamwork, but it should not be forgotten that many of the players from previous decades possessed talents just as tantalising and as effective, but who were perhaps hampered by the lesser abilities of their footballing peers.
In making his selections for this book – a team of eleven players who together form Arsenal’s greatest post-WWII team – Rab MacWilliam pays tribute to some of these earlier players who inspired their teammates in the pre-Wenger era and whose unflagging commitment and flair helped the club through some rough patches, as well as recognising the indisputably gifted footballing exponents of more recent years.
The eleven selected players will no doubt stimulate discussion, debate and disagreement but, in their individual and collective array of abilities, talents and commitment to the Arsenal cause, they would represent a more than formidable challenge to any of today’s superstar football clubs.
It's a book no Arsenal football supporter can afford to miss.
Rab MacWilliam is a book and magazine publisher, editor and writer. He has written several books on golf and football, including Rangers: An Illustrated History (which was short-listed for the 2003 WH Smith Sports Book of the Year), The Encyclopedia of World Football, Great Football Moments of the 20th Century, A History of the European Cup and Arsenal: The Essential History. The Arsenal book was described by Bob Wilson as 'a must for any football historian, let alone every follower of Arsenal FC'. Rab runs his own book publishing company, Clissold Books, and lives in North London.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher.
In the years following WWII, Arsenal experienced fluctuating fortunes on the pitch. From the barren 1950s and 1960s, through their successes of the early 1970s and subsequent decline, halted by the arrival of George Graham and then re-energised by Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have, in common with all other clubs, experienced seasons of mid-table relative mediocrity as well as years of domestic and European success at the highest levels.
However, even during their leaner spells, Arsenal always fielded players of the highest calibre and class: footballers whose talents, determination and abilities provided the backbone to the club’s performances. Under the stewardship of the astute and tactically innovative Wenger, Arsenal have flourished as never before, fielding largely foreign players whose exceptional skills have propelled the club into the company of Europe’s footballing elite. Wenger’s players have become household names due to their artistry and often scintillating teamwork, but it should not be forgotten that many of the players from previous decades possessed talents just as tantalising and as effective, but who were perhaps hampered by the lesser abilities of their footballing peers.
In making his selections for this book – a team of eleven players who together form Arsenal’s greatest post-WWII team – Rab MacWilliam pays tribute to some of these earlier players who inspired their teammates in the pre-Wenger era and whose unflagging commitment and flair helped the club through some rough patches, as well as recognising the indisputably gifted footballing exponents of more recent years.
The eleven selected players will no doubt stimulate discussion, debate and disagreement but, in their individual and collective array of abilities, talents and commitment to the Arsenal cause, they would represent a more than formidable challenge to any of today’s superstar football clubs.
It's a book no Arsenal football supporter can afford to miss.
Rab MacWilliam is a book and magazine publisher, editor and writer. He has written several books on golf and football, including Rangers: An Illustrated History (which was short-listed for the 2003 WH Smith Sports Book of the Year), The Encyclopedia of World Football, Great Football Moments of the 20th Century, A History of the European Cup and Arsenal: The Essential History. The Arsenal book was described by Bob Wilson as 'a must for any football historian, let alone every follower of Arsenal FC'. Rab runs his own book publishing company, Clissold Books, and lives in North London.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher.
