Premier League
Premier League’s Most Memorable Mavericks: 40 Legends the Streets Remember
40 Premier League mavericks whose flair, magic, and moments the streets won’t forget.
In the Premier League, moments of team triumph are cherished, yet it’s often the dazzling individuality that captures lasting attention. This compilation honors 40 players whose flair and memorable moments have etched them indelibly in fans’ minds — the real ‘streets won’t forget’ figures.
Beginning with Rory Delap, whose extraordinary long throw-ins became cult phenomena, we move through a diverse gallery of talent. Eidur Gudjohnsen dazzled with stints at Bolton, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Stoke, crafting the ‘Fire and Ice’ partnership with Hasselbaink at Chelsea. Alvaro Negredo’s one-season wonder at Manchester City netted 23 goals and earned ‘beast’ acclaim.
Juninho’s 1995 arrival at Middlesbrough instantly secured his legendary status. Young striker Federico Macheda’s stoppage-time winner for Manchester United in 2008 was a career highlight. Kasami’s spectacular volley for Fulham in 2013 remains one of the Premier League’s finest strikes. Meanwhile, Nani’s skill and celebrations often challenged the norms, cementing his cult credentials.
The late Papa Bouba Diop’s formidable long-range shooting made him a hero at Fulham and Portsmouth. Bafetimbi Gomis’ lion-style goal celebration and Maynor Figueroa’s thunderous goal from his own half for Wigan are etched in folklore. Kevin-Prince Boateng’s 2009–10 Portsmouth season, despite the club’s struggles, displayed his flair and clutch penalty skills.
Manolo Gabbiadini’s goal-scoring at Southampton in big matches, and Elano’s free-kicks for Manchester City, each contributed lasting memories. John Carew was a consistent scorer at Aston Villa in the late 2000s, while Amr Zaki’s brief but explosive Wigan spell sparked comparisons to Alan Shearer.
Graziano Pelle combined power and flair at Southampton before departing for China. Youri Djorkaeff added flair at Bolton in a rare flourish under Sam Allardyce. Sebastian Larsson’s mastery of free-kicks and Allan Saint-Maximin’s electrifying dribbles at Newcastle further define this list.
Mark Viduka’s goal glut at Leeds, Hugo Rodallega’s spectacular strikes for Wigan, and the dynamic Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse partnership at Newcastle are key highlights. Jay-Jay Okocha’s ability to confound defenders at Bolton and Michu’s stunning 2012–13 Swansea season earned them cult status.
Morten Gamst Pedersen’s trademark dead-ball prowess, Dmitri Payet’s skill at West Ham, and Hatem Ben Arfa’s breathtaking solo goal for Newcastle all enthralled fans. Yossi Benayoun’s crucial Liverpool performances, Wilfried Bony’s Swansea goal-scoring, and Mladen Kranjcar’s versatile impact for Portsmouth follow in their footsteps.
Andrey Arshavin’s flashes of brilliance for Arsenal, Yannick Bolasie’s trickery at Crystal Palace, and the unforgettable volleys of Tony Yeboah for Leeds embody the spirit of unforgettable flair. Yakubu’s relentless scoring and cheeky style made him a fan favourite, while Mousa Dembele’s silky dribbling at Tottenham mesmerized audiences.
The striking duo of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse replaced Andy Carroll with style at Newcastle. Jay-Jay Okocha’s magic and Michu’s remarkable buzz around Swansea mark this list with unique brilliance. Collectively, these players represent the Premier League’s vibrant history of unforgettable individual talent and moments that continue to inspire.
Arsenal
Arteta sees Saliba return as a solution, not a selection issue
Arteta says Arsenal’s centre-back depth is a luxury, not a problem, as Saliba nears his return.
Mikel Arteta does not view Arsenal’s growing options at centre back as a concern. Instead, he believes the return of William Saliba, alongside Gabriel and Ezri Konsa, gives the squad a chance to manage the season more effectively.
Konsa, who started most of England’s run to a third-place finish at the tournament, was signed in August with the understanding that Saliba would be unavailable for several months. Since then, he has settled into the Arsenal line-up and has been consistently reliable.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after Arsenal arrived in Czechia for their Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague, Arteta suggested Saliba is now close to being available whenever the manager chooses to call on him.
“He’s in, and he’s in like anybody else,” Arteta explained. “All the preparation has been done to measure all the loads and all the steps that he had to do to minimize that risk. Now he’s in a really good place. He’s built the capacity that we needed and now it’s about giving him minutes.
“A center back normally has to be able to play 90 minutes and that’s why all the preparation that we’ve done to build him.” Saliba himself, Arteta said, is “very desperate” to get back and will have the “right amount of minutes very soon.”
For Saliba to regain his place, one of Gabriel or Konsa would need to step aside. Arteta said that having all three available is a “luxury” Arsenal have not enjoyed earlier in the season.
“I wouldn’t call it a problem,” he said. “We can talk about problems that are very different to that one.”
Arteta has long spoken about the physical strain placed on players across four club competitions, plus international commitments. He believes a deeper pool at centre back can help Arsenal rotate more intelligently and handle the demands of the schedule with greater control.
Manchester United
Baleba injury compounds United’s mixed night against Roma
Baleba’s injury clouded United’s Roma win, even as Fernandes and Cunha turned the match around.
Manchester United’s Champions League meeting with Roma on Tuesday delivered both relief and concern, with Carlos Baleba’s latest injury casting a shadow over a comeback win.
Baleba, who had already missed the beginning of the season because of an ankle problem, went down in clear discomfort after driving forward in the second half. He was holding his hamstring before dropping to the turf, prompting immediate treatment from medical staff on the pitch. The summer signing looked emotional before he was withdrawn in the 51st minute and replaced by Youri Tielemans.
The setback only deepened the frustration around a player who has made just six appearances for the club since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion. Michael Carrick is expected to offer an update on the injury in the coming hours.
Even so, United found a way through. Bruno Fernandes levelled matters from the spot after being given a second attempt at his penalty when encroachment forced a retake of the saved effort. Later, Matheus Cunha struck twice to complete a 3-2 victory for the hosts and keep the match from slipping away.
The result offered a rare lift in a difficult spell, but the broader picture remains bleak. Carrick has been managing a depleted squad for some time, with Benjamin Šeško, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte still out with long-term issues. Kobbie Mainoo has only just returned, while Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martínez have also spent time in the infirmary.
That injury situation, combined with an underwhelming summer transfer window, has left United short on depth during an important run of fixtures. Before the visit of Roma, they had not won a single game in that stretch.
Manchester United
Baleba setback deepens Manchester United’s injury crisis
Baleba’s injury against Roma added to a growing Manchester United crisis and thin squad.
Manchester United’s difficult run took another hit on Tuesday when Carlos Baleba picked up what appeared to be a serious injury in the Champions League meeting with Roma.
The summer signing, who had already missed the opening stretch of the campaign because of an ankle problem, looked in clear distress after pushing forward on a run in the second half. He was seen clutching his hamstring before going to the turf, and the concern around him was obvious.
Medical staff treated him on the pitch, and Baleba seemed emotional before he was withdrawn in the 51st minute and replaced by Youri Tielemans. Michael Carrick is expected to offer a fuller assessment after the final whistle.
It is a bitter blow for a player who has made only six appearances in a red shirt since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion, but the wider impact on United may be even greater.
Carrick is already dealing with a long list of absentees. Benjamin Šeško, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte are all still sidelined with longer-term problems, while Kobbie Mainoo has only just returned after his own spell out. Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martínez have also spent time in the infirmary.
That depleted squad has been stretched further by an underwhelming summer transfer window, leaving Carrick short of options during a demanding run of fixtures. The result has been a club unable to find a win in any of those matches, with the injury picture continuing to undermine any attempt to build momentum.
