The ‘Invincibles’. An achievement that is arguably Arsene Wenger’s best since taking the reigns of the club back in 1996.
Before we went on our 49-game unbeaten run, in 2002, Wenger insisted an invincible season was not impossible. He was so confident with his statement that the Frenchman made his players believe it, which they did. Astonishingly, they had the will and talent to go and achieve the unthinkable feat.
Now Wenger believes our current crop is talented enough to match the ‘Invincibles’ of 2003. A far-fetched statement, or an honest one?
‘My target is to get back to that, to get back to that level.
‘I feel personally we are not far from coming back to fight for the championship, let’s hope we can show that next season.’
To be honest, our current crop come nowhere near the ‘Invincibles’, and I don’t think they can match them.’
In my opinion, there are only two players capable of slotting into that star-studded team – Robin van Persie and Bacary Sagna, arguably the only two world class players currently at the club.
When you look at the 2003/04 team they were all world class players.
Just by looking at our current midfield, the gulf in class is clear as compared to the likes of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva, who dominated games in that department in every single game. Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg on the wings were simply sublime, and the back four, one word ‘airtight’. Lauren, Sol Cambell, Kolo Toure and Ashley Cole were the most stubborn defence in the land to break down, bar-none. Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry spearheaded the attack, need I say more? Looking at those players its no wonder Wenger stated that they could go an entire Premier League season unbeaten.
Wenger added:
‘I told the players at the time they can achieve something special by becoming champions and being ‘invincible’ and they did it.
‘At the time they didn’t realize how much it could mean in the future but I am very proud of them.’
But the question still remains – can we actually repeat it?
I believe the ‘Invincibles’ side WEREN’T a one-off. They were a unique combination of great players playing at the top of their game, so why can’t we have that again?
We’ve already started adding some value to a squad that has more quantity than quality, and I for one hope we continue to do so. We’re in for a number of players who would rejuvenate our side next season. Should they arrive in good time and get the squad gelling in a few seasons we could surpass that 49-game mark.
But before we even begin to think of that we must first deal with the obvious elephant in the room – that seven year trophy drought.
We don’t necessarily have to be invincible to be successful again. An FA and Carling Cup victory still counts as being successful only if you can do it consistently, which we can. Provided of course Wenger spends some money this summer and sells the underperformers.
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english football is dying, no thanks to d style of play that is now appreciated in england. Look over d yrs, brazil,argentina,holland,germany,and most recently spain, thay have one time or d other dominated d game of soccer hav 1 thing in common, attacking football,spain and brazil add flair to their style and its working for them even in international competition check out their leagues, the rules and refreing protect attack minded teams,spain natnal team especially in d midfeild are mostly from barca, bcos of there style of play,the style was brought from holland but spain thru barca adopted it and now owns it no thanks to one johan cruff,but england appreciated mourinho who brought a pack d bus kind of football, they would rather man u that plays good counter attacking style of play,cross in from d wings, and head it home to win d league,than allowing arsernal who in the FA opinion and even ex footballers plays sexy football win d league, in spain,evry footballer wants to let their children learn football trade in barca, but in england arsenal is not winning they prefer chelsea and man u who imo dont teach football
to continue, arsenal is d only club in englend where football is being taught, but d club is not apreciated,chamberlains dad realised it he asked his son to go and learn in arsenal over man u, when will england produce d next scholes, gascoign,ince, and d likes, i dont know but d only club where dat can be acheived in england is arsenal where football is being taught,checck wilshere,gibbs even walcott they already got dat flair in thier style of play
Podolski comes with loud expectations and lets hope he does not disappoint like one Devor Suker. We need someone in the center and i think the Brazilian Lucas Moura or Sebastian Giovinco would be quality additions. I know we have moved away from signing them young and full of potential… How about turning Walcott striker next season and sending all the others away so we have RVP, Podolski and Walcott plus Campbell. If we revert to a two man striking role we can give Walcott enough chances to play. I would however not mind retaining Park, he may just burst into the scene so maybe a loan arrangement to settle him in the premier league. Move Song to creative Midfield and we have Song, Rosicky, Lucas and Wilshere is pushing for the two spots. Ramsey goes on Loan. Get Vertoghen or YMvila and together with Arteta we have two accomplished players vying for the slots there and we have Coquelin, and Frimpong too, get Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Montpelier) and get rid of Djourou and Schilachi and you have real competition for the roles in the defense. With this arrangement Roy Miyachi, Oxadale Chamberlain, Benik Afobe and the likes get time to grow into the first team. We have Gervinho and we can keep Banayoun just in case. I suspect this will be the depth and quality squad ready to challenge for titles next year. Wenger should design a captain system where there will be a defense captain, in charge of ensuring the defense works flawlessly and commencement of attacks (counters), a midfield captain whose role is transition (defense to attack -attack to defense) and the forward captain in charge of ensuring we maximize the opportunities on attack and as soon as the opportunity passes begin the first line of defense. Of course the attack captain will be RVP who will also be the overall captain. Wenger should also sign another player who will play every game arsenal will play competitively. He is called the bonus. say 5,000 pound per game up for grabs to be shared out by members the department of the team (defense, midfield or attack, that wins the department of the match honour, just like being named man of the match). The department that picks more department of the match honours will be declared the department of the season and pick a bonus three times that size with a trophy. Of course such honours are something that Fans can be involved in creating and funding. Finally, Arsene must consider creating a role-shift training day every month. At this time in the training ground people shift roles and you will see RVP as goalkeeper, Sczechny is a striker pairing with Gibbs, etc. this help the players learn insights about the kind of people they will be up against and what they feel, how they will most probably react and the likes. It will also get the players to appreciate the roles each play in the field.
Here is something I have taken from a Gunnerman from another contribution.
In short, individually our defenders are talented, but too many mistakes being made and a serious lack of cohesion in the defense has hurt our chances each season. Here’s a simple stat to show that our defenses actually been regressing over the years…. in my opinion, I think our problem might not be solved by simply having more depth….
Goals conceded:
2007/08 – 31
2008/09 – 37
2009/10 – 41
2010/11 – 43
2011/12 – 49
Sebastian Giovinco is brilliant. But no way will the hubris laden Wenger buy him.
Sadly I believe Arsene Wenger is ill. I think he has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder over money. Like those hoarders. It was not difficult to see he was cracking up earlier in the season. No way will we see the “new invincibles”. Wenger is going to bring us to Maximum 5th place and then he’ll leave. The board are blind.
“Can he create another `Invincibles` side”?
Answer `NO`, at least not in my life time.
Reason: The Invincibles were at a time when mega bucks were only just beginning to destroy the EPL.
Also, the Invincibles carried the tag `lucky Arsenal` and luck did stay with them it was an important component in their campaign. Today `luck` can only be characterized as `bad luck` it has been superceded by money.
The only hope for the future is a complete overhaul of the financial system, the FFS is only the beginning and it will be rorted by the oil barons and similar types.
There may well be other `Invincibles` but they will be bought and we could be looking at half a billion dollars and it won`t be Arsenal.
That starting point is, Was ‘invincible’ achieved out of strategy or management luck? When u stategize u do your risk analysis & identify your key drivers. But doesn’t seem the case with Arsen Knows. The invincible team had all the values & mentality of a winner, they did right everything u will want to see a team do For a case of teamwork. If it was out of a strategist we should have seen that team together for sometime as the feel interconnected their values than calling stardom, a case is Barcelona. Secondly the result of winning should hav continued for 2nd or 3rd consecutive years because then was a result of a strategy which is sustainable. Rather than the above, what happened appeared more like reactions of shock; the key players exited meaning the believe on the strategy objectives was not there. As manager u deploy the strategy by making employees understand and believe that they can make it happen. So there a strategy, it wasn’t fully integrated to all systems. Second from key players exit, arsenal continued selling their talent resource that made history books which dilapidated the chances of competing to PL champions to competing to be in the top 4. If it was out of strategy their talent retention processes could hav taken of the risks player exits & replacements. From my opinion; first, Arsenal never achieved it out of strategy but a one team effort and luck. Second, arsenal manegement dont a wining strategy and that is why they cant convince their key players to stay, they cant explain what in for them to stay for. Loosing at Carling cup finals to birmingham demostrsted a team that a football talent but lacked a winning mentality and has been demostrated time and again last season. Success is a culture that influence u physchologically and what differentiate leaders from followers is the acquire talent and develop the winning mentality in them. Arsenal acquire gems but they dont do the stage and Apart from jack Wilshere I hav not seen anyone else through the academy with a must win mentality. I am a goober and I have 4 quite sometime in my already lived lifetime now, but that’s what I feel. Warning 4 u don’t expect much in the transfer window.
Defenses wins championships and until Wenger stresses stern defense then he can’t ever come close to another Invincible team.
Ashley Cole was the best LB in the world, Sol was one of the best CBs in the world, Lehmann at the time was arguably better than the legendary Oliver Khan, Lauren was a consistent RB, Toure was a responsible partner to Sol. Gilberto tought of nothing but protecting the back four first and scoring second. Meanwhile Vieira was the heartbeat of the team and kicked ass when heads hung.
Gibbs isn’t the next Ashley Cole. He’s good but looking to be the best in the world? Hardly. TV seems more concerned with scoring than defending and Scz is still only 22.
Song wants assists instead of covering the defense and leaves the backline exposed too much for m liking.
This current team doesn’t have the same discipline and understanding of the Invincible team. I doubt Arsene could find those same players again and assemble them into one team as players with similar talent would be gobbled up individually by clubs with more money than Arsene is willing to spend.