Commencing with the 1993-1994 season in the English Premier League, the adoption of fixed squad numbers became increasingly widespread in football. This significant development aimed to establish a sense of consistency and individual identity among players, thereby facilitating easier identification and recognition for fans, officials, and broadcasters during matches. Subsequently, the majority of professional football clubs, including Arsenal, have embraced the practice of utilizing fixed squad numbers, enabling a streamlined and standardized system across the sport.

David Seaman (1992-2003)

Seaman is widely regarded as one of Arsenal’s greatest goalkeepers. He joined the club in 1990 from Queens Park Rangers and went on to have an immensely successful career. Seaman was known for his commanding presence, excellent shot-stopping abilities, and remarkable consistency. He played a crucial role in Arsenal’s success during the 1990s, winning multiple major honors, including three Premier League titles (1997-1998, 2001-2002, 2003-2004) and four FA Cups (1993, 1998, 2002, 2003). Seaman also represented England at the international level, earning 75 caps.

Jens Lehmann (2003-2008)

Jens Lehmann, a German goalkeeper, joined Arsenal in 2003 from Borussia Dortmund. He quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and played a crucial role in Arsenal’s unbeaten Premier League campaign in the 2003-2004 season, famously known as “The Invincibles.” Lehmann was known for his commanding presence, shot-stopping abilities, and ability to organize the defense. He won the Premier League title in 2003-2004 and the FA Cup in 2003 and 2005 with Arsenal. Lehmann left the club in 2008 but made a brief return in 2011 as emergency cover.

Manuel Almunia (2008-2012)

Almunia, a Spanish goalkeeper, joined Arsenal in 2004 from Celta Vigo. He initially served as the backup to Jens Lehmann but eventually established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. Almunia had some successful seasons, including the 2007-2008 campaign when he helped Arsenal reach the UEFA Champions League semifinals. However, his time at Arsenal was also marked by occasional errors and inconsistency.

Wojciech Szczęsny (2012-2015)

Szczęsny, a Polish goalkeeper, came through Arsenal’s youth academy and made his first-team debut in 2009. He took over as the number 1 goalkeeper from Almunia in the 2011-2012 season. Szczęsny showcased great shot-stopping abilities, agility, and confidence during his time at Arsenal. He won two FA Cups with the club in 2014 and 2015. However, disciplinary issues and inconsistent performances led to him being loaned out and eventually transferred to Juventus in 2017.

2015-2018 for 3 Seasons, Arsenal didnt have back number 1 in their squad

When Petr Čech joined Arsenal from Chelsea in 2015, he did not immediately receive the number 1 shirt. At that time, Wojciech Szczęsny was Arsenal’s established number 1 goalkeeper. The decision to retain Szczęsny as the first-choice goalkeeper and not assign the number 1 shirt to Čech likely stemmed from several factors, including loyalty to Szczęsny, who had been with the club for several years.

Arsenal also had a history of not frequently changing the number 1 shirt for their goalkeepers. David Seaman, who held the number 1 shirt for a significant period, was an iconic figure at the club. There may have been a desire to maintain a sense of continuity and respect for Seaman’s legacy by not immediately passing on the number 1 shirt to a new arrival.

Instead, Čech wore the number 33 shirt during his first season with Arsenal, while Szczęsny continued as the first-choice goalkeeper. It wasn’t until the following season, in 2016-2017, that Čech was given the number 1 shirt after Szczęsny departed on loan to AS Roma.

Assigning squad numbers in football can sometimes involve various considerations, including the dynamics within the team, the history of the shirt number, and the preferences of the players and the club. In the case of Petr Čech, his reputation and experience eventually led to him being granted the number 1 shirt at Arsenal.

Petr Čech (2018-2019)

Čech, a Czech goalkeeper, joined Arsenal in 2015 from Chelsea, where he had already established himself as one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers. Čech brought immense experience and leadership qualities to Arsenal’s backline. He was known for his exceptional positioning, communication skills, and ability to make crucial saves. Čech played a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumphs in 2017 and 2018. He retired from professional football in 2019 after his final season with the club.

Bernd Leno (2019-2022)

Leno, a German goalkeeper, signed for Arsenal in 2018 from Bayer Leverkusen. He took over as the number 1 goalkeeper following Čech’s retirement. Leno is known for his agility, reflexes, and distribution skills. Despite Arsenal’s mixed performances during his tenure, Leno has been a consistent performer and has made numerous crucial saves. He continues to be a vital part of Arsenal’s squad, providing stability and shot-stopping abilities between the posts.

Aaron Ramsdale(2022-Present)

Aaron Ramsdale is an English professional goalkeeper who currently represents Arsenal. Born on May 14, 1998, in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Ramsdale stands tall at 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and holds English nationality.

Ramsdale embarked on his youth career at Bolton Wanderers before transitioning to Sheffield United’s academy in 2013. He made his professional debut for Sheffield United in 2016 and further honed his skills through loan stints at Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon.

In January 2017, Ramsdale secured a move to AFC Bournemouth, continuing his development at the club and gaining valuable experience on loan at Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon once again.

Returning to Sheffield United in 2018, Ramsdale cemented his place as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and played an instrumental role in their promotion to the Premier League for the 2019-2020 season.

Ramsdale has also represented England at various youth levels, showcasing his talent on the international stage with appearances for the U18, U19, U20, and U21 teams.

In August 2021, Arsenal completed the signing of Ramsdale from Sheffield United, making a significant investment reported to be around £24 million. This move to Arsenal marks a notable progression in his career, joining one of the esteemed clubs in English football.

Since joining Arsenal, Ramsdale has been vying for the starting goalkeeper position, offering competition to the established goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Ramsdale’s performances have impressed, displaying remarkable shot-stopping abilities, adept distribution skills, and a commanding presence in the penalty area. Furthermore, his agility, athleticism, and crucial saves have garnered praise, along with his communication and leadership qualities in organizing Arsenal’s defense.

Despite his relatively young age, Aaron Ramsdale exhibits promise as a goalkeeper, continuously refining his skills and contributing to Arsenal’s defensive prowess.

Years displayed next to the players’ name are not the time they stayed in Arsenal but the time they had back number 1 on their jersey.