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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To answer the opening question, yes we can, but we need to start paying the market rate for players instead of shopping at aldi!
its not only the players you mention, but the back up,Keown,Edu,Kanu,Wiltord,Parlour. Top players and fighters. I am surprised we didn’t go unbeaten in 2001/02.For me it was an even better team and how did we not succeed in Europe?? Don’t blame Dennis!
Sagna’s great, but he wouldn’t have got into that team. Koscielny is a good shout, and Song and Arteta could have held their own imho.
maybe… but as long as our defence is accustomed to throwing away four goal leads and not showing up against teams like Norwich and QPR (no offence guys, you deserved the points)then…no chance!
Of course he cannot repeat it. Wenger inherited a tight, experienced back 5 – possibly the best the English league has ever seen. They already knew how to defend and saw to it the rest of the team defended too … as an organised unit.
Since Wenger has been creating his own team and his own style of play … we have seen the difference. Over 7 years …. ZILCH..
Shut it. The invincibles’ defence was made up completely of Wenger signings. What are you gonna do next…rewrite the Holocaust?
Naked Goon makes a strong point.
It wasn’t just the first 11 but the whole squad. If you look at the dominance of Man Ure over the past 15yrs – where rednose got it right was his ability to spot and play when called upon, reliable players for 5 or six games. The notion of a strong quality squad surely applies even more now that it did 8yrs ago. I think all us Gooners would agree, that for the past few yrs we have lacked quality back-up players to replace injured star names etc. We have gone to the other extreme whereby too much is asked of our best players namely Cesc for a number of yrs, Robin and Wilshere at the moment etc. Whether this is totally Wenger’s fault, in terms of too much faith placed in a number mediocre players, as well as his failed operation youth (5yr plan ala Ajax), or the direction of the club chosen by the board in terms of how much transfer money was/is made available, is a question we all constantly ask. I believe it lies somewhere between the two.
In terms of going through another “invincible” unbeaten season who knows? I think it highly unlikely given the fact that only Preston and us have done it in the history of English football. Aligned with this is the fact (as wenger himself has stated) that the premiership is now even more competitive, and even the lesser teams can match the top clubs – perhaps not in terms of quality, but certainly in terms of power, pace and workrate. Mind you have Juventus just gone undefeated in the scudetto? If this is the case I live in hope.
It would be very difficult to do so, the league is much more demanding and difficult now! Not impossible but honestly I can’t see it. We are close to having a good strong squad with 1/2 top signings and a injury free season. The league and being competitive is there… Man united know how to win, if they didn’t we would be above them! Only City and Chelsea have such a squad of real depth.
Wenger will need another 4 quality players to stand a chance. The back 4 is vitally important. We are in need of Vertonhhen’s services.
Vertonghen!
Well let us remember that the invincible team did something that is extremely hard to do. Can it be done again yes probably by Wenger possibly but he inherited that defence and to day we tend to play with two centre back and two wing backs who defend sporadically secondly petit and viera swapped defensive duties between them we lack a defensive midfielder and the back up is not of the same quality all the way through. Let us see where Wenger goes with his transfer dealing in the summer and what influence bould brings to the team.
clown taking about petit and viera changing roles… so viera played for barca some games then? we had gilberto, edu and parlour chicken head.
who from Leaman, campbell, toure, cole or lauren were ‘inherited’ by wenger chicken head? do you even know what you’re writing. put down the special brew and turn off the computer.
yeah…a lot of ‘fans’ spend far too much time on Le Shite to think for themselves anymore. I guess he feels if he says it long enough it will become true.
no, for the simple reason Mancity etc keep on poaching our bloody best players, scummy team! How can we ever get anywhere when disloyal players are leaving every single year. We keep on having to rebuild..if RVP leaves for Mancity after we looked after him for years when injured i will burn his shirt and will think of him as a traitor.
Looking on the bright side. If Van Persie does leave the club this year, he takes with him every notion of player loyalty with him. That might be just the kick he needs to get Wenger to stop showing so much patience with players.
A key part of our recent inability to compete has been due to a distinct lack of competition in the first team. I don’t know how, but it crept into the team’s mentality so much that when Arshavin started getting subbed, he gave up instead of fight.
We don’t necessarily need flavor-of-the-month signings like Verthogen and Hazard… 2 or 3 Santos-types and an injury-free season for Jack Wilshere should see us through just fine. But I might be asking too much