The Arsenal team which went unbeaten throughout the duration of the 2003-04 Premier League season is one of the finest in the history of English football.
Only two teams have gone unbeaten in a top flight season in England; Preston North End and Arsenal. Both can lay claim to being the greatest. Preston remained unbeaten in all competitions, winning the FA Cup as well as the First Division, whilst Arsenal had to play 38 league games, rather than Preston’s 22, and could argue that they competed in a more competitive division.
Either way, Arsene Wenger and his team’s achievements are tremendous. It is a feat some believe will never be repeated in the Premier League, and even if it were, it is unlikely to be achieved with the style and grace of that Arsenal team. They played beautiful football and were still unbeatable. They did not play to stop the opposition, but were simply too good.
With a loaded left flank containing a youthful Ashley Cole, the superb Robert Pires and often Thierry Henry, who loved to venture out onto that flank, the Gunners were some force. Such brilliant units shouldn’t really have stars, but this one still did, and it was Henry. He scored 30 Premier League goals and 39 in all competitions, regularly assisted by Dennis Bergkamp. Here is Arsenal’s most regular XI that season:
Arsene Wenger celebrates winning the Premier League title with Patrick Vieira at the end of their famous Invincibles season
Jens Lehmann
Following the departure of David Seaman, Jens Lehmann stepped in as a reliable ‘keeper for the Gunners. Germany is a fine breeding ground for shot stoppers, and Lehmann was one in a long line. He made exactly 200 appearances for Arsenal, winning 61 caps for Germany, and now works as both an ambassador for UNICEF and as a motivational speaker.
Lauren
Brought to Arsenal as a midfielder, Lauren quickly made himself at home in the right-back position. The Cameroon international spent six years with the Gunners, and one could argue that he was the weakest player in this XI. Lauren joined Portsmouth after leaving Arsenal but retired after a short spell with Cordoba in 2010, he now lives in Seville and occasionally works as a pundit.
Sol Campbell
Tottenham fans during Sol Campbell’s return to White Hart Lane
Judas to Tottenham fans, hero to Arsenal fans, Sol Campbell was a world class centre-back. Capped 73 times by England, Campbell won two Premier Leagues and three FA Cups at Arsenal. Since his retirement in 2011, Campbell has had a failed bid to become the Conservative Party nominee for the London Mayoral election and supported Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Kolo Toure
One of only two active players in this XI, Kolo Toure was signed by Arsene Wenger as a right-back, following his well-documented trial at Highbury, but went on to become a dependable centre-back alongside Sol Campbell. Following a big money move to Man City and a spell at Liverpool, the Ivorian now plays north of the border for Celtic.
Ashley Cole
A left-back of the highest calibre, Ashley Cole was among the world’s best left-back’s for around a decade. It was a bitter blow for Arsenal to lose him to Chelsea, where he had success once more. The second active player on this list, Cole now plays in the MLS for LA Galaxy.
Patrick Vieira
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira
In the heart of the Arsenal midfield there was Patrick Vieira. Fondly remembered for his regular battles with Roy Keane, both Vieira and Keane were in fact fine footballers, it ought not be forgotten. The Frenchman himself was the engine room in the Arsenal midfield and a magnificent leader. He, like Cole, is currently in the MLS, where he coaches New York City FC.
Gilberto Silva
Every great team can do with a Brazilian, and Arsenal’s was Gilberto Silva. He didn’t have the flair of a Ronaldinho or Ronaldo, but he was just what Arsenal needed, a deep-lying midfielder who allowed the team’s more creative players to do their thing. Silva played over 200 games for Arsenal, retiring from football in 2015 and announcing his plans to become an international football consultant.
Freddie Ljungberg
Former full-time footballer and part-time model, Freddie Ljungberg spent nine years on the right wing at Arsenal, winning an impressive eight trophies and reaching a Champions League final. The popular Swede is now the assistant manager at Stuttgart.
Robert Pires
Robert Pires alongside Arsene Wenger and Marcel Desailly
Robert Pires was a man who played with real style and panache. The Frenchman was as cool on the ball as he looked off it, and he was an excellent servant to Arsenal in his six years at Highbury. Voted by Arsenal fans as the sixth best player in the club’s history, Pires announced his retirement from football in February 2016, and now coaches at Arsenal.
Dennis Bergkamp
Most commonly playing in a withdrawn role in behind Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp was a wonderful technician. His wizardry of the ball is bettered by very few, and he spent eleven years exhibiting his talents at Highbury. The Non-Flying Dutchman, as he was nicknamed, is now a coach at Ajax.
Thierry Henry
The greatest player Arsenal have ever had and quite possibly the greatest the Premier League has ever seen, Thierry Henry spent eight years with the Gunners, becoming the club’s all-time record goal scorer. Aged 39, Henry now works jointly as a pundit and as the assistant manager of the Belgian national team.
Thierry Henry was a force of nature for Arsenal
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