When Arsenal fans wonder “who created the most goals ever for the Gunners?”, the answer is not obvious — it’s a rich tapestry of playmakers, wingers, midfield maestros. Below, TigerKick will take you through who holds the most assists in Arsenal history, how the landscape has shifted over eras, and which legends challenged — or nearly matched — that top spot.
Who Owns the Assist Crown at Arsenal?
If we limit our records to Premier League matches, one name consistently emerges at the summit: Dennis Bergkamp., Bergkamp recorded 94 assists in his Arsenal career in the Premier League — the most by any Arsenal player in that competition.
However, the broader question — “most assists in Arsenal history across all competitions” — is more complex, especially due to incomplete historical assist data and different competitions (FA Cup, League Cup, European matches). Many all-time trackers lean on Premier League data because it is reliably recorded.
As a caveat: other sources (e.g. club record sites) sometimes show Thierry Henry with the “most assists ever for Arsenal” when including all competitions, but this is harder to verify with public data.me aggregated lists place Henry at the top, but they blend leagues, cups, and European play.)
Thus, the most defensible, data-backed claim is that Dennis Bergkamp holds the record for most assists in Arsenal history (Premier League era) with 94 assists.
How Bergkamp Built That Assist Legacy
Role & Style
Bergkamp joined Arsenal in 1995 and transformed into a forward who saw the pitch like a canvas. He was an archetypal “second striker” — a player comfortable scoring, but equally gifted in setting up others. Over 315 Premier League appearances, he laid on 94 assists and scored 87 goals.
He wasn’t a high-tempo winger delivering crosses all game — his magic lay in vision, movement, and clever passing in tight spaces. That intelligence made him one of Wenger’s favorite “connectors” between midfield and attack.
Era context
When Bergkamp played, Arsenal’s attacking players like Ian Wright, Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry (later) were goal threats. His passes often found forwards who knew how to finish. His telecoms with Henry and others were legendary.
Moreover, his assists spanned seasons in which Arsenal competed in domestic and European tournaments, giving him more matches and opportunities to rack up the numbers.
Top Assist Providers In Arsenal History (Premier League Focus)
Here’s a ranked snapshot (Premier League only) of Arsenal’s leading assist makers:
**
| Rank | Player | Premier League Assists | Appearances* |
| 1 | Dennis Bergkamp | 94 | 315 |
| 2 | Thierry Henry | 74 | 258 |
| 3 | Cesc Fàbregas | 70 | 212 |
| 4 | Mesut Özil | 50 | 184 |
| 5 | Aaron Ramsey | 45 | (various) |
| 6 | Bukayo Saka | 45 | (so far) |
* Appearances refer to Premier League appearances in the context of the listed assist statistics.
A few observations:
- Thierry Henry is a close second in the Premier League-era assist race, but remains best known for his goal-scoring brilliance.
- Fàbregas- Fàbregas, though primarily.
- Mesut Özil’s peak seasons gave him a high assist-per-game rate, though his total ended up behind the top three.
- Bukayo Saka, still active, has climbed quickly — his trajectory suggests he may challenge higher ranks in the near future.
Did Anyone Ever Overtake Bergkamp Across All Competitions?
Because comprehensive assist tracking across all competitions is spotty for older eras, it’s difficult to prove definitively whether any player surpassed Bergkamp when counting FA Cup, European, and other matches.
Some club-fan aggregators credit Thierry Henry with a higher total when combining all competitions, especially given his longevity and goal involvement. But those aggregators may infer or estimate missing data. Without solid official breakdowns, statistical consensus still gives the edge to Bergkamp via Premier League data — which stands as the strongest foundation for comparison.
Thus, while Henry might be champ “in spirit” over the club’s full history, Bergkamp remains the statistical king under rigorous data control.
Why Assist Records Matter Beyond Goals
Assists are often the unsung metric in football. Goals capture attention, but assists reveal vision, unselfishness, playmaking IQ, and synergy. The “assist king” is a mirror to every striker who benefited, and to every midfield/forward who saw an opening before others did.
In Arsenal’s history, those with most assists in Arsenal history hold a special place — connecting eras, linking players, and shaping legendary attacks.
When fans debate the “best ever Gunners,” goals often dominate. But assist metrics show who made greatness possible for teammates. In that light, Bergkamp’s record stands not as a footnote, but as a central pillar of Arsenal’s creative DNA.
How Close is Saka to Shaking the Record?
Bukayo Saka, already among the top assist providers in Arsenal Premier League history, is still young and improving. If he keeps up his current trajectory, he could climb into the top two — perhaps even challenge Bergkamp, if:
- He continues deep into his career
- He remains consistent season after season
- He adapts to shifting roles (winger, forward, etc.)
Given his creative output and match impact, few fans would bet against him closing in on that record one day.
Final Thoughts
The most assists in Arsenal history (with strong verifiable data) belongs to Dennis Bergkamp, with 94 Premier League assists. He sits atop a roll call of legendary creators — Henry, Fàbregas, Özil — and his contributions still echo in how the club builds and views attacking play.
Every season adds chapters to that story. Will Saka, or another rising star, rewrite the record book? Only time will tell. But for now, Bergkamp’s mark remains the benchmark — demanding respect, celebration, and dee.
Want to dive deeper into Arsenal’s top assist seasons, assist-per-match ratios, or comparisons with other clubs? TigerKick is ready — just let me know your next topic.
