Arsenal’s dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester United at the weekend not only gives the Gunners a five point lead at the top of the Premier League table – it also means fans are daring to dream of their first title since 2004.
But just how good are Mikel Arteta’s team and do they deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the famous Arsenal side of 19 years ago which went the entire campaign without losing a league game?
Their only defeat so far this season was a 3-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford back in September, but since then they have surprised many and are now top of the pile heading into the second half of the season.
As a result, there are even some suggestions that this crop is even better then that iconic team which included Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell and Patrick Vieira.
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Better Points Tally
With 16 wins and two draws from their 19 Premier League fixtures so far, the Gunners are now on 50 points and on course to make it 100 come May – a feat only ever achieved once in the Premier League when Manchester City got the ton up five years ago.
Incredibly, despite not losing a game all season, at the same stage during the 2003/4 season; the ‘Invincibles’ had picked up 45 points from their first 19 fixtures – winning 14, drawing six and, of course, losing none.
That team eventually went on to finish with 90 points – 11 more than Chelsea
Strong Resilience
Arsene Wenger’s side made a brilliant start to the 2003/04 season by winning their first four league fixtures, but Arteta’s team went one better, winning their first five league outings this season – and the similarities don’t end there.
Arsenal won eight league games by a one-goal margin during the first half of the 03/04 season while the Gunners 3-2 victory on Sunday was the team’s sixth in 19 games – proving there’s a resilience to this current side as there was during the Wenger years.
Best Yet to Come?
When Arsenal won the title in 2004 they were second in the table at the turn of the year, but took the spoils thanks to a run of nine consecutive wins between January and March as they chased-down Claudio Ranieri’s Chelsea.
This year Arsenal’s best run of wins is five on the bounce and if they are to keep nearest rivals Manchester City at arm’s length they might have to eclipse the run that the ‘Invincibles’ put together – which could be tricky as they still have to travel to St James’s Park and face City twice before the end of the campaign.
And with Pep Guardiola’s side capable of saving their best until the second half of the season – like in the 2017/18 campaign when they strung together 18 straight-wins to pip Liverpool to the title – Arsenal will have to rewrite the history books if they are to be crowned champions in May.
Who Makes the Cut?
With only half the season completed it’s almost impossible to make comparison’s between one of the most iconic teams in Premier League history and a side looking to follow in their footsteps.
But from what we’ve seen so far, who from the great ‘Invincibles’ side of 2004 would force their way into Mikel Arteta’s current crop and who would stake a claim to rub shoulders with those club legends of almost 20 years ago?
Jens Lehman vs Aaron Ramsdale
Playing every match of their unbeaten title-winning season Jens Lehman kept 9 clean sheets in the 2003/04 season, but Aaron Ramsdale has already equalled that tally with half the campaign to go.
Lauren vs Ben White
For his presence on the field as the enforcer of this Arsenal side Lauren just about pips the ever impressive Ben White.
Sol Campbell vs William Saliba
35 games, just one goal and one assist for Campbell during the 03/04 Premier League campaign, but his leadership skills alone ensure he’s one of the first names on this team sheet.
Ashley Cole vs Oleksandr Zinchenko
Ashley Cole played 32 times for Arsenal in the 2003/04 campaign and would go on to become one of the greatest fullbacks of his generation, so can’t be left out of this side.
Gilberto Silva vs Granit Xhaka
Xhaka has already equalled Gilberto Silva’s tally of four goals in the 03/04 season but the World Cup winner edges out the recently revived Swiss – just.
Patrick Vieira vs Thomas Partey
Sorry Thomas, there’s only one winner here, and as well as being one of the best midfielders ever to turn out for Arsenal, Patrick Vieira’s presence alone as a leader makes him a cert for skipper.
Robert Pires vs Martin Odegaard
It simply has to be Pires. The Frenchman scored 14 goals in 36 Premier League games from midfield in 03/04, a stat that ensures he makes this team sheet.
Freddie Ljungberg vs Bukayo Saka
With 7 goals and 7 assists so far this season 21-year old Saka has become a pivotal part of this Arsenal side and just edges out fan favourite Freddie – mostly due to his potential.
Thierry Henry vs Gabriel Jesus
Not even a discussion, Thierry Henry is Arsenal’s greatest goalscorer and his tally of 30 goals in 37 Premier League games in 03/04 wins the argument hands down.
Dennis Bergkamp vs Gabriel Martinelli
As above, Bergkamp is a club legend who simply can’t be left out despite scoring just 4 goals in 28 Premier League games in the 04/04 season with 7 assists.
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