Arsenal’s Invincibles 2003-04: Blast from the Past
A lot has been written, told, discussed about the greatest teams to play the beautiful game. There are the likes of Manchester United’s Class of ’92, Real Madrid’s Galacticos, etc. The teams were marvelous, and had an aura about them. There were legends in those teams. Thus, they reached the zenith of success. When you have Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo and Raul in your team there isn’t much to do.
However, there were hardly any iconic figures in the Arsenal 2003-04 squad. It was a bunch of few next door names that got along well. At this note, let us revisit the glory days for one last time. Let there not be any fawning but a threadbare approach to the side.
When did it all start?
It was a relatively quiet transfer window for Arsene Wenger in the 2003-04 season. There were financial constraints owing to the new stadium in the pipeline. Consequently, Arsene Wenger decided to retain the services of the trusted warriors. Robert Pires, Patrick Viera signed new contracts at Arsenal. This meant the core of the midfield was there.
Apart from these, the lone signing of Jens Lehmann was the only activity in the transfer period. Many would say Jose Antonio Reyes was a key signing in the January transfer window. But, Reyes was an unheard name before he came to Arsenal. As is the scene after he departed from Highbury.
Overall it was a modest team with a lot of steel in the squad. That grit has been eluding Arsenal ever since. This was a critical factor behind the team’s clean sheets.
Legendary stature? Anyone?
There was Jens Lehmann under the bars. Laurent, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Martin Keown, Pascal Cygan, Gael Clichy, Johan Djorou, Justin Hoyte- these were the names at the backline. None of them had a cult status before joining the Gunners. Keown was the only name who was there with the team for long. Rests of these names were secured by the watchful eyes of Monsieur Wenger.
In the midfield there was Viera, Pires, Ljungberg, Edu, Gilberto Silva and the veteran Ray Parlour. Parlour was an Arsenal player long before Arsene Wenger joined. He was at his wee end of his career by that time. The likes of Edu and Silva joined the team to add some Samba flair to an otherwise burly midfield.
None of them were remotely near to being called a superstar. These names today are recalled when the Arsenal team of 2003-04 is the subject. They were players who were synchronous with the team. Nobody was a star in their stature. This is where the rug was pulled under the opponent’s feet. There was no budding prodigy in the team. Hardworking, pacy midfielders would take the play to the opposition. There were fierce counter attacks, leading to immaculate finishes from the strikers.
Coming to the offence department, there was a French striker from Juventus. Yes, you heard it right. Thierry Henry. He was under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger during his AS Monaco days. At that time Henry would be deployed as a left winger.
When he donned the Arsenal stripes, he was an out and out striker. Tall, strong, fast and rugged, Henry would wreak havoc on the defenders. His solo runs and exquisite finishes are unmatched till date. Another phenomenon who would team up with TH14 was DB10. Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp was a prolific goal scorer in his heydays. With the advent of Henry, he was more than happy to slot behind in a supporting role. Nevertheless, the lethal duo would complement each other well upfront. As a result they became an indomitable force.
Aftermath
The aforesaid team structure had one thing in common. They explicated the adage; ‘United we stand’ and they did stand strong. Resilient in the back, astute in the midfield and deadly in the attack; this team defied all odds. There weren’t any players who could be identified as superstar. But, after their august form, each name commanded respect.
The players took the field with massive respect for the game. The spirit would flow into the pitch uninhibited. Consequently, the results came were in their favour. Under the captaincy of Viera, Arsenal became the team to beat.
Different they were, and different they will be
Till date Arsenal fans become delirious recalling the glorious season. Since then there has been a massive slump in form for the side. With an FA Cup encounter against Manchester United, it will be a tough time for Gunners.
The 2003-04 taught us a huge lesson in the world of football. We may have fabulous players these days. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Eden Hazard; they may be greater than their team. But, what makes a squad legendary is their fabulous team strength. Football has been and will always be a team sport. An individual becomes an icon with the support of his team. Today, the players of the Invincibles team are renowned. That is what an Arsenal team does to you. It rubs on the sheer magnificence on every individual associated.
Signing off, once a Gunner, always a Gunner.
