Top Five Greatest Arsenal Goalkeepers of All Time

Arsenal Football Club has a history of great goalkeepers. In big moments and over many years, their heroics have defined eras of success for the Gunners. But which ones were the most important in Arsenal’s history? This list highlights the top five goalkeepers of all time in Arsenal’s history, giving recognition to their contributions to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Arsenal’s Five Greatest Goalkeepers of All Time

5. David Raya

This may be premature, but what an impact he has had since he was signed. There was uncertainty as to who would be Arsenal’s number one between him and Aaron Ramsdale. However, it is clear now why Arteta chose Raya as his number one. Raya embodies what it means to be a modern goalkeeper. Cool with the ball at his feet and critical to the way Arsenal play out from the back, Raya can still be called upon to make crucial saves.

His standout achievements include winning the Premier League Golden Glove in the 2023/24 season with 14 clean sheets in just 29 appearances. He also earned accolades such as the Best Goalkeeper award at the 2025 London Football Awards and a spot in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. Statistically, Raya has been exceptional. In the 2024/25 Premier League season, he maintained a save percentage of 74.19%, conceding only 0.79 goals per game. Additionally, his heroic penalty saves in the Champions League round of 16 against Porto further his strong start in North London.

4. Jack Kelsey

Not every Arsenal fan will know who this is, given his career was from 1943 – 1963. He was one of the early sweeper keepers, redefining what it took to be a goalkeeper. He made 352 appearances for the club, winning the FA Cup, First Division and Community Shield.

It is reported that he would rub chewing gum on his hands to improve his grip, highlighting his desire to innovate. The Brazil national team actually nicknamed him “the cat with magnetic paws”.

3. Pat Jennings

Making the controversial move from North London rivals Tottenham in 1977 at the ripe old age of 32, having made 591 appearances for the Lillywhites, many thought Pat Jennings was past the peak of his powers.

This proved to be dramatically incorrect, as the Northern Irishman went on to make over 300 appearances for Arsenal, winning the 1978/79 FA Cup in the process. Athletic and springy in his goal, Jennings is widely regarded as one of the best British keepers of all time, with his excellent reflexes carrying an often mediocre Arsenal side in the late 70s and early 80s.

Jennings was unorthodox. His bravery and athleticism saw him develop a unique style: Jennings was one of the first goalkeepers prepared to use parts of his body other than his hands to block the ball. He went on to play 327 matches for the Gunners and reach three FA Cup finals.

2. Jens Lehman

Being an integral part of the Invincibles is why Lehman is second on this list. It was an unprecedented campaign, in which he only conceded 26 goals. Across his Arsenal career, he kept 80 clean sheets and won a Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield. He was also a part of an Arsenal team that got to winning the Champions League, albeit he did get sent off in the final. Aside from his goalkeeping skills, he was a huge character in the dressing room and a leader.

He holds some quite remarkable records. In the UEFA Champions League record, he has the record for the most consecutive clean sheets with eight matches. He also has the highest number of continuous minutes without conceding goals with 853 minutes. It is clear to see why he is regarded as one of the great goalkeepers of this generation.

1. David Seaman

I think it is fair to say everyone would expect Seaman to be Arsenal’s greatest goalkeeper on this list. He made the most appearances of any Arsenal keeper with 584. From 1990 and 2003, he amassed 228 clean sheets. In addition to this, he won the most trophies of any Arsenal keeper. His list of honours include three league titles, four FA cups, a League Cup and a European Cup Winner’s Cup.

His individual achievements include finishing second in the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper of the Year award in 1996, finishing in the in the PFA Team of the Year twice and getting a Ballon D’or nomination in 1998. Seaman is not just regarded as a great Arsenal keeper, but one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. His acrobatic claw to Paul Peschisolido’s header from a few yards out in the FA Cup is considered one of the best saves ever.