Forgotten Arsenal ace whose only Premier League game was at start of 49-match unbeaten run was forced to retire at 27
RYAN GARRY’S only Premier League appearance came at the start of Arsenal’s 49-match unbeaten streak.
The Gunners academy graduate was later forced to retire aged just 27.
Garry came through the Arsenal youth system and won the FA Youth Cup in 2001 before being promoted to the first-team.
The centre-back went on to make two senior appearances under Arsene Wenger, with one of those coming in the league.
Garry played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal thrashed Southampton 6-1 at Highbury in May 2003.
Reflecting on his debut in 2018, he told Planet Football: “I remember going to the hotel before the game; the pre-match meeting was based around a player I would be marking, a French winger named Fabrice Fernandes.
“He was their best player and I was going to have to stop him.”
A hat-trick from Jermaine Pennant, two goals from Robert Pires and a Thierry Henry strike brushed the Saints aside to kickstart an historic run for the Gunners.
Arsenal would go on to avoid defeat in their next 48 matches, including the entirety of their Invincible 2003/04 title triumph.
Garry would never play for the club again, though, learning that summer that he had been playing with multiple stress fractures to both shins.
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He left the club on a free transfer in 2007, joining Bournemouth and ending his eight-year spell with Arsenal.
His injury woes continued, however, and he ultimately hung up his boots in 2011 aged just 27.
Garry immediately transitioned into coaching, first with the Cherries’ reserves side.
He has since worked with both Arsenal and England’s youth set-ups and is currently part of the Young Lions’ coaching team.
Still only 39, Garry was appointed England under-18s manager in August, with Premier League icon Emile Heskey serving as one of his assistants.