Wenger initially replaced left-back Nigel Winterburn with Sylvinho, but an injury to the defender allowed Ashley Cole to take his place as first pick by the 2000–01 season. [4] In his autobiography, Tom Finney wrote: "The championship stayed with North End — by now tagged the Old Invincibles — the following year, but runners-up spot had to suffice for the next three seasons". At the turn of the calendar year, Arsenal won nine league matches in a row to consolidate first position; they secured their status as champions with a draw against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in April 2004. But it was arguably the club’s defense that was the biggest star in its unbeaten campaign. Therefore, Cygan was the first choice back up in the centre back position. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE TWO ROBBIES PODCAST. They also had players who had a full understanding of their roles with and without the ball, they were players of natural true brilliance which made them truly difficult to beat anyway.

This was the first team line up: Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann played every league game in the whole season.
Comparing with the 4-3-3, 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 nowadays, it is rarely to see a central midfielder to take over the winger position because the winger position in these formations requires more attacking attributes due to the lone striker system. The EPL returned over the week with fireworks galore in the opening fixtures of the restart. The situation changed after January’s transfer window.

It shows that more rotation was happened in midfielders. The addition of these players resulted in a squad which has the best claim on being the best squad in Premier League history. Pingback: RECREATING THE ARSENAL INVINCIBLES – THE INTRO | SI Sports Centre, Pingback: Arsenal Invincibles - Part One - Tea & Busquets. The team were also strong on the counter, exemplified in their away performances against Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur. The intention was to win the ball on one-on-one opportunity or forcing the opposition to play long balls with Lehmann sweeping off the balls played way too long on which Arsenal sprung to the counter-attack. Keown had more substitute appearances (7) than starting appearances (3); especially four of them were in the last four games after Arsenal had won the title on 25/4/2004. However, Justin Hoyte and David Bentley had only made 1 appearance, comparing with the rest of the team making at least 9 appearances (more than 20% of the 38 games). Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. “The Invincibles” Arsenal 2003-04 Analysis (4) – Henry, Pires and Cole, ← Analysis of top 4 strikers in League 2 (2), “The Invincibles” Arsenal 2003-04 Analysis (2) – Were Arsenal a one-man team? Arsenal fans have been celebrating Liverpool's stunning defeat to Aston Villa this evening. Okay so here we are at the end of my mini-series looking at ways to vary our systems and approach with the same players. While attacking, Campbell stayed behind and Toure pushed forward acting as a midfielder most of the times. When Pires was not available, Wenger moved Ljungberg to the left and played Parlour as the right winger: If both Pires and Ljungberg were not available, Edu could play as a left winger also.

The above chart clearly shows that Cole, Lauren, Campbell and Toure were the first team players of the back four. It is the first team to win the Premier League title having not lost a game. Invincibles’ Line Up for the want of a better tag line.
In 4-4-2, the central midfielder substitutes were still able to cover the wide position as wide midfielder or winger (e.g. ", Before the season commenced, Wenger told reporters: "Nobody will finish above us in the league. In assessing the team's achievement, Tim Rich of The Independent wrote: "Invincibles, they called the last team to go through a season unbeaten away from home, although it is a word which belongs far more to the Arsenal side of 2002 than it ever could to the Preston team of 1888–89. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Change ). The financial constraints that came with the Ashburton Grove stadium project meant Wenger had little income to spend on new players. The squad is the most important factor in winning trophies, and Arsenal had one of the most versatile squads at that time.

When Wenger had the strong start to the 2003-04 season, he was asked that if he believes his team can win the English Premier League title, without losing a single match, he replied. The chart of midfielders is not as obvious as that of defenders. Bookmark the permalink . Therefore, what Wenger had to decide is using whom as Henry’s partner. Most think automatically 442 but I always consider it a tad more subtle when I look back and I think of it as 41311. Reyes joined the team and got the chances immediately. Moreover, Pires and Ljungberg were able to play at both flanks. There are teams before and since that have scored more goals, collected more points and conceded fewer goals en route to Premier League titles, but The Invincibles stand alone as the only unbeaten bunch in the record books.

Two with back fours and 2 with back threes and the last variation tips us in favor of a four-man defence. In comparison to their rivals Chelsea, bankrolled by new owner Roman Abramovich, and Manchester United, Arsenal's transfer activity was quiet. [19] By March 2003, Arsenal had established themselves as league leaders, but nearest challenger Manchester United overhauled them to win the title. Liverpool dropped to fifth with their defeat to Villa, below Arsenal on goal difference. Gunners fans find themselves on an annual watch in the hope their club's invincible record will stand for another year. Captain Paul July 26, 2019 ARSENAL, FOOTBALL, NEWS, PREMIER LEAGUE Tagged ARSENAL, Arsenal news, Arsenal newsnow Leave a Comment on Arsenal invincibles team starting 11. Arsenal - The Invincibles. For further analysis of Arsenal invincibles squad, please go to the links below: Posted on 10/01/2013, in Arsenal, Arsenal 2003/04 and tagged Arsenal 2003-04, Bergkamp, Cole, formation, Henry, Pires, squad, The Invincibles. Arsenal 2003/04 unbeaten title-winning team have been voted as the Best Team in the Premier League’s 20 seasons awards. Stay connected to D.C. United with the MyTeams app. explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. The Scottish players who moved to England in those days were nicknamed the Scotch Professors. Thierry Henry, signed as Nicolas Anelka's replacement in 1999, was the team's focal point in attack; he was supported most often by Bergkamp. The total number of games Reyes played in half the season (13), was more than Wiltord (11), Kanu (10) and Aliadiere (9) played in the whole season. Only 6 midfielders were mainly used in the whole season showed the versatility of these players, especially the two backup players Parlour and Edu who played as both central and wide midfielders. Arsenal invincibles team starting 11. "[10] Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger wanted his team to push on for more honours and described the defeat of Manchester United as a "shift of power" in English football. The fact that only these 6 players were used in midfield shows the versatility of these players & how efficient they were in any role they played in the team. Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Jans Lehmann and many others combined for 26 wins, 12 draws and 0 defeats to secure the first, and only, 38-game unbeaten season in … Give me your email and I will give you my analysis. Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Jans Lehmann and many others combined for 26 wins, 12 draws and 0 defeats to secure the first, and only, 38-game unbeaten season in … It may not have the best players in every position but the chemistry they formed was the best at that time. I am trying to find it out through analysing the 38 league games. Reyes joined the team and got into the first team immediately. [22] Arsenal ultimately reached the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, where they were eliminated by London rivals Chelsea. [24] In May 2018, this gold trophy was presented to Arsene Wenger as a gift from Arsenal Football Club at Wenger's final home game as manager after 22 years. Wenger used Kanu, Aliadiere and Wiltord as the backup.

Solskjaer rekindling glory days at Old Trafford. - Arsenal fans sent into transfer frenzy after tracking flight from France, Arsenal have been linked with a move for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar all summer, and supporters thought they had spotted a clue that a transfer was imminent, Arsenal news and transfers live: Thomas Partey signs, Lucas Torreira exit confirmed, Arsenal were busy on transfer Deadline Day as they secured major deals in both the incoming and outgoing departments, Arsenal fans send a message to Mikel Arteta now transfer business is complete, Two thirds of supporters are backing the club to reach the Champions League, Breaking: Chelsea transfers confirmed as window closes on deadline day, Chelsea have made some big moves in the summer transfer window, The reason Chelsea did not move to hijack Arsenal's £45m Thomas Partey transfer, Chelsea decided not to move for a midfielder on transfer deadline day, Tottenham forced Manchester United into Edinson Cavani 'panic' buy on transfer deadline day, Jose Mourinho's men thrashed United 6-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, Kai Havertz excitement but warnings for Frank Lampard - Chelsea's transfer window reviewed, The Blues made some real moves in the transfer window, Breaking: Ruben Loftus-Cheek joins Fulham on season-long loan from Chelsea, The 24-year-old will be hoping for regular game time in the 2020/21 campaign at Craven Cottage, Breaking: Arsenal complete Thomas Partey signing in stunning £45m transfer deadline day swoop, Arsenal have activated the £45m release clause in Partey's contract to secure one of Mikel Arteta's top midfield targets. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  [28] The Guardian noted that Arsenal never trailed in the last 20 minutes of a game during their unbeaten run.[29]. Of course, they probably are all redundant but I have had fun using my imagination, whilst wishing none too secretly that Arsene might to the same! Wow wishing one day dis club dat went unbeaten’ z gona repeat it once again…. In 2008, Preston opened a new 5,000 seater stand at their Deepdale stadium, named the Invincibles Pavilion in honour of the unbeaten 1880s team that had also played their home matches at the same site.[9].

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