How Arsenal can emulate the Invincibles during Premier League title run-in
As Arsenal inch closer and closer to a first Premier League title since 2003/04, comparisons between the current crop of players and the legendary Invincibles become inevitable.
The Gunners famously went through a top flight season without losing with the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp just to name a few, and while the present-day Gunners won't be able to replicate that achievement, they are getting closer to that iconic group's total points tally.
But what can Mikel Arteta and his squad take from that 2003/04 season and the run-in especially as they plot glory on their own?
Here are the current standings and what Arsenal need to do to emulate the legendary Invincibles.
2003/04 Premier League table after 28 games
With victory over Blackburn in March 2004, Arsenal had grown a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier Leag- sorry, the Premiership, with closest competitors Chelsea way off the pace and Manchester United barely in the picture.
Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Arsenal | 28 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 37 | 70 |
2. | Chelsea | 28 | 19 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 61 |
3. | Manchester United | 28 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 58 |
4. | Charlton | 28 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 43 |
2003/04 Arsenal run-in
- 20/03/04 - Arsenal 2-1 Bolton
- 28/03/04 - Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
- 09/04/04 - Arsenal 4-2 Liverpool
- 11/04/04 - Newcastle 0-0 Arsenal
- 16/04/04 - Arsenal 5-0 Leeds
- 25/04/04 - Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal
- 01/05/04 - Arsenal 0-0 Birmingham
- 04/05/04 - Portsmouth 1-1 Arsenal
- 09/05/04 - Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
- 15/05/04 - Arsenal 2-1 Leicester
2022/23 Premier League table after 28 games
Fast-forward just under 20 years and Arsenal are firmly in the driving seat ahead of current champions Manchester City, boasting an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
A trip to the Etihad is still on the horizon while City have goal difference and mental edge in recent games between the two sides in their favour.
Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Arsenal | 28 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 40 | 69 |
2. | Manchester City | 27 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 42 | 61 |
3. | Manchester United | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 50 |
4. | Tottenham | 28 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 49 |
2022/23 Arsenal run-in
- 01/04/23 - Arsenal vs Leeds United
- 09/04/23 - Liverpool vs Arsenal
- 16/04/23 - West Ham United vs Arsenal
- 21/04/23 - Arsenal vs Southampton
- 26/04/23 - Manchester City vs Arsenal
- 29/04/23 - Arsenal vs Chelsea
- 06/05/23 - Newcastle United vs Arsenal
- 13/05/23 - Arsenal vs Brighton
- 20/05/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
- 28/05/23 - Arsenal vs Wolverhampton
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How Arsenal can emulate Invincibles during 2022/23 Premier League title run-in
Arsenal vs Leeds United
- 01/04/23 - Arsenal vs Leeds United
There are three games in Arsenal's Premier League title run-in involving opponents Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and co faced during the final stages of the 2003/04.
First up will be Leeds. The Gunners hosted United at Highbury on a Friday night back in 2004 when England's top flight was still called the Premiership by fans worldwide and not just stubborn fuddy-duddies who refuse to call it the Premier League in modern times.
Robert Pires got the opener before Henry stole the show with four goals in a 5-0 win that took Arsenal ten points clear at the top of table.
When the two sides met earlier this season, Arsenal took the points at Elland Road thanks to the game's only goal from Bukayo Saka.
Liverpool vs Arsenal
- 09/04/23 - Liverpool vs Arsenal
Arsenal are due to visit Anfield to face Liverpool in their second match after the international break.
The Gunners have a poor recent record in the red half of Merseyside, having not won away from home against the Reds in the Premier League since September 2012.
Arsenal won the return fixture earlier this season, however, and won a classic encounter with Liverpool at Highbury in 2004. Goals from Sami Hyypia and Michael Owen had threatened to break Arsenal's unbeaten streak, but Pires' strike alongside a brilliant hat trick from Henry saw the Gunners run out 4-2 winners.
Newcastle United vs Arsenal
- 06/05/23 - Newcastle United vs Arsenal
Back to back losses to Tottenham and Newcastle last season saw Arsenal's top four bid fall apart, but they're playing for a prize much greater than just Champions League qualification this year.
The Gunners played Newcastle at St James' Park in April 2004, with the game ending as a goalless draw. That result was the first of four ties in five games.
This fixture comes in the middle of a crucial run for Arsenal, who play Manchester City, Chelsea and Brighton on either side. If they come through those games with a decent lead over City heading into the final few games, it'll be Mikel Arteta's title to lose.
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On this edition of The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network, Harry Symeou discusses Arsenal's 4-1 win against Crystal Palace, bouncing back from Europa League heartbreak and more.
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