Shoot! would like to wish former England defender Martin Keown many happy returns as he celebrates his 51st birthday this evening.

The Arsenal legend, who also played for the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion, Aston Villa, Everton, Leicester City and Reading, earned 43 international caps for The Three Lions during his playing career.

Now a part-time scout, coach and pundit for several media outlets, Shoot! is paying tribute to Keown by putting together five of the most defining moments of his Career in Pictures.

Keown, who was born in Oxford, joined Premier League side Arsenal on a schoolboy contract back in 1980, before going onto make over 400 appearances in all competitions for The Gunners, winning 10 honours.

For both club and country, the centre-half formed a formidable partnership with Tony Adams at the heart of the defence, and featured for England at both UEFA Euro 1992 and UEFA Euro 2000.

To celebrate Keown’s latest milestone, here is his Arsenal Career in Pictures…

Double Delight

You wait over a decade for your first piece of silverware, since his Arsenal debut in 1985, then two come along at once!

Despite playing just 18 times in the top-flight under new manager Arsene Wenger, Keown got his hands on the 1997-98 Premier League title, before helping defeat Newcastle United 2-0 in the FA Cup final just two weeks later.

Giggs Gaffe

However, the following campaign saw Keown endure a rather forgettable moment in the FA Cup.

During the semi-final replay, of all occasions, in extra-time!

The defender failed to stop Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs from scoring his renowned solo goal back in April 1999 – the eventual winner in the 109th minute at Villa Park.

Although Keown publicly pointed the finger at team-mate Lee Dixon, many Gunners fans still blame the centre-half for his poor positioning during the Welshman’s attack, before he failed to stay on his feet during a tame attempt to win the ball.

European Euphoria

Keown only scored seven goals during his entire Arsenal career, but two of those strikes came within seven minutes of each other, during his crucial brace against Shakhtar Donetsk.

During the 2000-01 UEFA Champions League campaign, in The Gunners’ second Group B fixture at Highbury Stadium, the defender netted twice in the 85th and 92nd minute to seal a last-gasp 3-2 win for Wenger’s hosts, who went onto finish top of the group.

Arsenal advanced to the quarter-finals, before being knocked out by Spanish outfit Valencia on away goals.

Ruud Reception

During Keown’s final season as a Gunner, the defender made sure he left his mark on Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

On September 20, 2003, after being adjudged to have fouled Diego Forlan in the area, The Red Devils were awarded an injury-time penalty at Old Trafford, with the scoreline still goalless.

Netherlands international Van Nistelrooy stepped up to take the spot-kick, only to see the ball cannon back off the crossbar in the 93rd minute.

Much to Keown’s satisfaction, he immediately decided to confront the forward, jump and celebrate in his face and strike him on the back of the head with his arm in the process.

That’s one way to celebrate a 0-0 draw!

Unbeatable End

And finally, Keown is an ‘Invincible’. That’s enough said… No?

Despite making just 10 league appearances for The Gunners, Keown qualified for a Premier League winners’ medal during Arsenal’s famous ‘Invincible’ 2003-04 campaign, where Wenger’s men went the entire season unbeaten – winning 26 games and drawing 12 – finishing on 90 points.

Arsenal remain the only team to remain unbeaten during a 38-game league season.

Keown was released by Wenger at the end of the 2003-04 campaign.