Gabriel Magalhaes is a fast riser when it comes to the highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history since his move to the club from Ligue 1 side Lille in the summer of 2020.

However, before the arrival of the Brazilian, many had tried for the Gunners. They found the back of the net on noteworthy occasions, placing themselves higher in the list of highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history.

In the wake of Gabriel's remarkable scoring reputation, we take a look at where he ranks among the 10 highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history.

10 Highest-Scoring Arsenal Defenders in Premier League History

A host of defenders have been decisive in different eras at Arsenal, and a few among them have etched their names in the list of highest-scoring players in defensive categories, primarily due to their aerial dominance.

From the duo of Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen, to the biggest names in the club's history, to the current generation of players, here are the top 10 Highest-Scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history.

8. Ashley Cole: Eight goals

After graduating from the club's academy, Ashley Cole played for Arsenal between 1999 and 2006 before securing a permanent move to rival club Chelsea, with whom he won more major silverware.

While with Arsenal, the left-back scored eight goals in 156 league appearances, and at the time of his departure, Ashley Cole ranked third in the list of highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history, with only Tony Adams and Lee Dixon having more goals.

8. Sol Campbell: Eight goals

Sol Campbell was another player who featured for Arsenal in the same era as Ashley Cole and shared the same goal tally for the club as his countryman.

He arrived at Arsenal in a shock move from their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, went on to become a fan favourite, and scored eight league goals, including a brace against Everton in September 2005.

Sol Campbell ranks joint eighth in the list of the 10 highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history, with eight goals in 146 games.

8. Héctor Bellerín: Eight goals

The pacey right-back joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, then made his professional bow with the North Londoners, spending nine years before his permanent departure in 2022.

During his time with the club, the Spaniard scored eight goals in 183 league appearances, placing him joint eighth in the list of highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history.

Bellerín is considered one of the best right-backs in the modern history of Arsenal and won two Community Shield titles and three Emirates FA Cup titles under Arsène Wenger and Mikel Arteta.

6. Lee Dixon: Nine goals

The 23-year-old right-back arrived at Arsenal in January 1988 when competition in the club's backline was fierce, but after a year, he had become a regular part of it alongside the likes of Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, Martin Keown, and Steve Bould.

He went on to feature in a staggering 458 Premier League games for the club and scored nine goals, which places him joint sixth in the ranking of the highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history.

Lee Dixon, also a former England international, retired at Arsenal in 2002 and is today considered a club legend.

6. Kolo Touré: Nine goals

Kolo Touré, a member of Arsenal's famous Invincibles, spent over seven years at the club between 2002 and 2009, scored nine Premier League goals in 225 appearances, and ranks joint sixth among Arsenal’s highest-scoring defenders in the competition.

The Ivorian centre-back scored against top clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur before leaving Arsenal to later play for Manchester City.

4. William Gallas: 12 goals

William Gallas was not famous for his defensive skills at a club like Arsenal, where a host of names have earned legendary status for their defensive prowess; however, the Frenchman did have a knack for goals.

With 12 goals in 101 appearances, Gallas ranks joint fourth in the list of highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history during his spell at the club between 2006 and 2010.

He scored important goals against top teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool, but he will be more remembered as the captain stripped of his armband due to his criticism of his teammates.

4. Tony Adams: 12 goals

Tony Adams is not only the greatest defender in the history of Arsenal, but he is also up there among the greatest players in the club's history.

Nicknamed Mr. Arsenal, the former England international spent his entire professional career with the North Londoners. Having progressed from the club's Hale End academy in 1983, he played for Arsenal until his retirement at the end of the 2001–02 season.

Tony Adams ranks joint fourth among the highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history, alongside William Gallas with 12 goals. Although he made more than half a thousand appearances, he was also an ever-present figure in the most successful era in the club's history.

3. Thomas Vermaelen: 13 goals

Thomas Vermaelen was the only major signing in the summer of 2009, and the Belgian hit the ground running. Unfortunately, injuries would later ruin what could have been a brilliant Arsenal career.

Nevertheless, the centre-back was solid in the early part of his five-year stint and scored 13 Premier League goals in 110 games, placing himself third in the list of highest-scoring Arsenal defenders in Premier League history.

He departed for Barcelona in a £15 million move in the summer of 2014, right after winning the Emirates FA Cup title, his only silverware with Arsenal.

2. Gabriel Magalhães: 18 goals

Gabriel Magalhães has been a force at both ends since he arrived at Arsenal from Lille in 2020, and he continues to get better as he develops further.

He has not only evolved into one of the best defenders in the world currently, but he is also a threat in front of the goal. Since his Arsenal debut, he has scored 18 Premier League goals, at least four more than any centre-back in that period.

The Brazilian ranks as the second-highest-scoring Arsenal defender in Premier League history, having made 166 appearances. At just 26, he will not only have eyes on the club's top spot but could also push to surpass the all-time Premier League defender record currently owned by John Terry, with 41 goals.

Who is the Highest Scoring Arsenal Defender in Premier League History?

1. Laurent Koscielny: 22 goals

The outright best defender of a struggling Arsenal side in the latter days of Arsène Wenger, Laurent Koscielny had his ups and downs but remained decisive at both ends of the pitch.

His 22 goals in 255 Premier League games across nine years speak volumes of his reliability, as he not only ranks as the highest-scoring Arsenal defender in Premier League history but also stands among the club’s finest defenders of the 21st century.

He was a constant name on the Arsenal team sheet for almost a decade, pairing with players like Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker, Shkodran Mustafi, Gabriel Paulista, Rob Holding, Johan Djourou, Sébastien Squillaci, Calum Chambers, and others.

Laurent Koscielny won three FA Cups and two Community Shield titles with Arsenal and finished runner-up twice in the Carabao Cup and once in the Europa League before returning to France to join Girondins de Bordeaux in the summer of 2019.