The Premier League Hall of Fame has become a permanent feature of the competition’s modern story. For a player to be eligible for a place in the Premier League’s Hall of Fame, they must have made 250 appearances in the division since its 1992 inauguration or achieved one of the following:

The list of inductees reads like a roll call of defining figures. The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer has just a single league title to his name, but he’ll likely remain a record-holder unless Harry Kane opts to make a comeback post-Bayern Munich. Shearer’s greatest collective success came with Blackburn Rovers, but he’s immortalised on Tyneside.

Many regard Henry as the greatest Premier League player there’s been. The dazzling French forward has the collective accolades and individual achievements to supply a compelling case. Cantona was utterly unique. Man Utd took a flyer on Cantona at the start of the Premier League era, but the Frenchman proved to be the making of the Red Devils’ 90s dynasty.

Roy Keane is presented as arguably the greatest captain the League has ever seen, while Lampard remains the highest scoring midfielder in the competition, with over 600 Premier League appearances and three league titles with Chelsea. Bergkamp is remembered for sustained runs of brilliance that propelled Arsenal to league titles.

Beckham’s off-field prominence often overshadowed his on-field quality, but he was one of the stars of Premier League football in the 90s. Rooney’s arrival felt inevitable and he was a constant thorn for many opponents at the Theatre of Dreams. Vieira was an early Wenger recruit and the leader of Arsenal teams that conquered the country on multiple occasions.

Drogba’s 254 Premier League appearances all came for Chelsea, where he won four league titles. Kompany won Premier League Player of the Season during Man City’s dramatic 2011–12 success. Schmeichel redefined goalkeeping for his era. Scholes, part of the Class of ’92, evolved into a classy deep-lying performer. Ian Wright struck 113 Premier League goals and claimed a title in 1997–98.

Managers are represented too. Ferguson spent 26 years at United and inspired 13 league titles. Wenger managed a record 828 games and remains the only ‘Invincible’ manager in Premier League history.

Defenders and goalkeepers feature prominently: Adams, Čech, Ferdinand and Ashley Cole are all included for their defining contributions. The Hall of Fame collects these careers to explain why each figure matters to the competition’s history.

Martin Ødegaard has pushed back on criticism of his captaincy after Arsenal’s squad confirmed him as leader for the 2025–26 season.

The Norway international has built his career on blocking out external noise. After a difficult spell at Real Madrid, Ødegaard enjoyed a successful period following his permanent move to Arsenal four years ago. Last season he experienced a dip in form as injuries and the birth of his first child combined to complicate his campaign.

Tony Adams publicly questioned Mikel Arteta’s decision to persist with Ødegaard as captain given those recent struggles. Arteta answered by saying the squad had unanimously voted for Ødegaard to remain captain for the new season.

“It is true that we voted on it,” the Norway international told VG. “It was ultimately his [Arteta’s] choice anyway. It is a nice confirmation to get it.”

Pressed directly on Adams’s remarks, Ødegaard was clear about his approach to outside opinion. “I don’t care that much. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion and say what they want. I live with that. You can’t care what everyone says, there will be a lot of positive and negative things that can affect me. It’s important to just block it out, I’ve done it my whole career.”

In Arsenal’s most recent match against Liverpool, Gabriel Magalhães wore the armband because Ødegaard was only fit enough to make the bench. The attacking midfielder had suffered a heavy blow to his shoulder a week earlier and had been a doubt to feature. Ødegaard was able to appear as a substitute for the final 20 minutes.

Following that appearance he linked up with Norway for the September World Cup qualifiers. The captaincy vote and Ødegaard’s public reaction underline how the player and club have chosen to address questions about leadership and form going into the 2025–26 season.

The 2025 summer window has reshaped Arsenal’s squad and left manager Arteta with a clearer selection for his preferred starting XI. A small tweak to formation could unlock this group further, but on paper the personnel now suggest an exciting attacking identity and more depth across the pitch.

David Raya has established himself as the number one since taking over the job from Aaron Ramsdale. Two Premier League Golden Gloves in a row will do that. The Spaniard has already signalled an intention for a three-peat with two clean sheets out of three games. If not for a Dominik Szoboszlai world-class free kick, he’d have three out of three. Kepa Arrizabalaga represents reliable cup cover rather than a direct threat to Raya’s place.

At right back, Jurrien Timber offers a different skillset to Ben White, often showing midfielder-like dribbling and attacking intent. Timber’s defensive moments can still improve, but his form and goals early in the season underline his claim on the role.

William Saliba returns as the defensive cornerstone, a key part of the league’s best centre back pairing alongside Gabriel. The two operate with strong mutual understanding. Gabriel’s development since arriving from Lille has been vital, and keeping him fit remains crucial even with new additions.

Calafiori’s first season at the club was a rollercoaster, alternating between influential attacking displays and fitness setbacks. When fit, he often inverts into midfield and contributes in build up, though defensive awareness can be inconsistent. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapié remain options if form or fitness dip.

Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi look set to form a double pivot. Rice’s versatility and leadership make him a constant starter. Zubimendi has shown promise in preseason but needs time to settle to reach his full potential.

Further forward, Martin Ødegaard must regain the influence he produced in 2022–23 if the team is to maximise the new attacking pieces. Eberechi Eze provides a creative spark, likely used on the left to complement Ødegaard and link with the striker. Bukayo Saka remains indispensable, though his fitness is a clear concern after hamstring problems; Noni Madueke offers cover.

Viktor Gyökeres is the main striker after the summer signing. Two goals in three games suggest a solid start, while Kai Havertz could challenge for minutes once fully recovered from knee surgery. The selection balance between Gyökeres and Havertz may depend on opposition and fitness as the season unfolds.