arsenal 2003–04 football season
Reading: 2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season
The 2003–04 season was the 106th in the history of Arsenal Football Club. It began on 1 July 2003 and concluded on 30 June 2004, with competitive matches played between August and May. The cabaret ended the Premier League campaign as champions without a single frustration – a record of 26 wins and 12 draws. Arsenal fared less well in the cups, eliminated in the FA Cup and League Cup semi-finals to Manchester United and Middlesbrough respectively, and at the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Champions League to Chelsea. The main accession to the first team was goalkeeper Jens Lehmann for £1.5 million ; striker José Antonio Reyes was late purchased in the winter transplant window. Arsenal retained their best players and successfully negotiate new contracts for captain Patrick Vieira and midfielder Robert Pires. The constancy of the squad meant Arsenal were considered front-runners for the Premier League title, along with Manchester United, and Chelsea who were taken over by russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. A strong start to the season saw Arsenal top the league table after four matches. The team ‘s draw at Manchester United in September marked an distasteful episode between both clubs : several Arsenal players were charged and fined consequently by The Football Association for their part in a mass brawl that occurred after the match. In November, Arsenal beat Dynamo Kyiv by a single goal and more impressively score five against Inter Milan at the San Siro – two results which kick-started their Champions League campaign. At the turn of the year, the team won nine league matches in a row to consolidate first position. In the first workweek of April, they were eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League, but by the end of the calendar month had secured their condition as league champions, with a 2–2 draw against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. 34 different players represented the baseball club in five competitions and there were 15 unlike goalscorers. Arsenal ‘s top goalscorer for the third year ply was Thierry Henry, who scored 39 goals in 51 games. The Frenchman was given the award of PFA Players ‘ Player of the year by his colleague peers and the FWA Footballer of the year by football writers. Although the Arsenal team were unsuccessful in cup competitions, their dominance in the league was regarded by many commentators as a standalone accomplishment. They acquired the dub “ The Invincibles “, much like the Preston North End team that went unbeaten in the inauguration Football League season. The clubhouse was awarded a golden replica trophy by the Premier League once the temper concluded and they remained unbeaten for 49 games, setting a raw phonograph record. In 2012, the Arsenal team of 2003–04 won the “ Best team ” class in the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards .
background [edit ]
Arsenal had finished the previous season as runner-up in the Premier League, overhauled by Manchester United in the final ten-spot weeks of the season. [ 3 ] The cabaret did, however, retain the FA Cup, with a 1–0 acquire against Southampton. [ 4 ] such was Arsenal ‘s effective start to the 2002–03 campaign, director Arsène Wenger suggested his team could remain the whole temper undefeated in all competitions :
It ‘s not impossible as A.C. Milan once did it but I ca n’t see why it ‘s indeed shock to say it. Do you think Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea do n’t dream that vitamin a well ? They ‘re precisely the like. They just do n’t say it because they ‘re scared to look farcical, but cipher is farcical in this problem as we know anything can happen. [ niobium 1 ] [ 6 ]
The team lost to Everton a calendar month after Wenger ‘s proclamation ; teenager Wayne Rooney scored the match winner, which ended a function of 30 league games without kill. [ 7 ] By February 2003, Arsenal moved five points net of Manchester United at the clear of the league table, but injuries to keystone players, not least captain Patrick Vieira, had destabilised the team. [ 8 ] Draws in April, coupled with a defeat to Leeds United at home, mathematically ended Arsenal ‘s chances of retaining the claim. [ 3 ] Wenger refuted opinions from the media that their season was a failure and said :
Of run we want to win the league, but I think the most difficult thing for the club is to be consistent and we have been unusually coherent. We lose the league to a team [ Manchester United ] who spends 50 % more money every year – final class they bought a musician for £30 million when they lost the backing. They will do the like future year and we [ have ] done miracles just to fight with them. [ 9 ]
In the close season, Chelsea was sold to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for £140 million, the biggest takeover in british football history at the time. [ 10 ] [ nota bene 2 ] Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein however was displeased, and quipped that Abramovich had “ parked his russian tanks on our lawn and is firing £50 notes at us ”, [ 12 ] Abramovich was said to have placed a bid for Arsenal hitter Thierry Henry, which was turned down at once. [ 13 ]
Arsenal ‘s transfer activity in the summer was relatively quiet, given the fiscal constraints that came with the club ‘s new stadium project. [ nota bene 4 ] The club were able to keep the core of its team, successfully negotiating new contracts for Vieira and winger Robert Pires. [ 23 ] german goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was the only major accession to the first team ; [ 24 ] he replaced David Seaman who joined Manchester City. ukrainian defender Oleh Luzhny ended his four-year association with the baseball club by joining Wolverhampton Wanderers on a absolve transfer, while striker Graham Barrett moved to Coventry City. [ 25 ] Striker Francis Jeffers, who found opportunities limited in the first team, joined his early club Everton on a season-long loanword. [ 26 ] Giovanni avant-garde Bronckhorst moved to Barcelona on a alike bargain, with a horizon to a permanent wave transfer at the end of the season. [ 27 ] respective young players were acquired from academies abroad, namely Gaël Clichy from Cannes and Johan Djourou, once of Étoile Carouge. [ 28 ] In January 2004, Arsenal signed spanish striker José Antonio Reyes from Sevilla and in April agreed a deal with Feyenoord for winger Robin van Persie. [ 29 ] Wenger at the start of the season prioritised regaining the league championship : “ I feel it is identical significant in our minds to do this and I know the crave is hard to do it, ” and named Newcastle United and Liverpool, along with Manchester United and Chelsea, as Arsenal ‘s main rivals for the Premier League. [ 30 ] [ 31 ] Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson asserted that his old club were favourites because they had the “ best players … If they all remain match week-in week-out then they will not be beaten. ” [ 32 ] Glenn Moore of The Independent wrote of Arsenal ‘s chances : “ They will be thereabouts, but unless Wenger last puts his faith in youth, and the likes of Jérémie Aliadière, Jermaine Pennant and Phillipe Senderos repay him, they may lack the astuteness to sustain a title campaign. ” [ 16 ] Defender Sol Campbell however believed the police squad was “ potent enough for the league and FA Cup ”, but doubted their chances of winning the UEFA Champions League. [ 33 ] The club ‘s dwelling leach remained unaltered from the previous season ; a crimson new jersey with white sleeves, shorts and socks. [ 34 ] The new away kit, a ex post facto yellow jersey with a blue collar shave and shorts, was based on the Arsenal comic strip break in the 1979 FA Cup Final. [ 35 ] [ 36 ]
Transfers [edit ]
To prepare for the forthcoming season, Arsenal played a series of friendlies across Western Europe. Their first match ended in frustration against Peterborough United of the Second Division ; goalkeeper Stuart Taylor was forced to come off the field after colliding with Peterborough substitute Lee Clarke in the second one-half. [ 61 ] Arsenal then played out a draw against Barnet, where trialist Yaya Touré – the brother of Kolo, was included in the team. [ 62 ] In a 2011 interview, Wenger recalled Yaya ‘s performance as being “ completely average on the day ” and noted his impatience stopped him from joining Arsenal ; Touré went on to play for Barcelona before joining Manchester City in 2010. [ 63 ] Arsenal undertook a enlistment in Austria, a class after crowd troubles forced their match in Eisenstadt to be abandoned. [ 64 ] Wenger was absent with a stomach upset so assistant director Pat Rice took charge of Arsenal against SC Ritzing on 22 July 2003 ; the team came from two goals down to draw their second base back-to-back friendly. [ 65 ] Rice was pleased with Philippe Senderos ‘ cameo in defensive structure and said : “ distillery some rough in edges but he will entirely get better working with Martin Keown and Sol Campbell. ” [ 65 ] Arsenal recorded their first gain of the pre-season against Austria Wien. Bergkamp capped off a “ brilliant person display ” by scoring the first goal and setting up the second for Jeffers. [ 66 ] The final match of the enlistment was against Beşiktaş, which required reduce security system given the history between English and Turkish football supporters. Bergkamp scored the lone finish of the equal in the irregular half. [ 67 ] An Arsenal eleven in England two days former faced St Albans City, where they won 3–1. The main squad then travelled to Scotland to play Celtic on 2 August 2003. Both goals in the one-all draw came in the moment half ; the equal marked the return of Vieira after three months out with a stifle trouble. [ 68 ] Wenger revealed afterwards that he intended to use the pre-season as an experiment for his defense. [ 69 ] He partnered centre binding Campbell with Touré, who for much of last season played in midfield. [ 68 ] Wenger was please with Touré ‘s performance against Celtic and said : “ He has quality. He was in the first place a central defender and, because we have kept a few clean sheets recently and he ‘s played well, I thought we ‘d keep him there. ” [ 69 ] An Arsenal XI travelled to Belgium for a game against Beveren and conceded two goals in the final five minutes to draw the match 2–2. Arsenal rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 3–0 gain against Rangers on 5 August 2003. [ 70 ]
Barnet v Arsenal 19 July 2003
( )
Friendly 0–0Barnet15:00
Report
Stadium: Underhill Stadium
Attendance: 4,778SC Ritzing v Arsenal 22 July 2003
( )
Friendly 2–2Ritzing19:00
Sebasta 
20 ‘
El Senosy 25 ‘
Report
Cygan 60 ‘
Ljungberg 85 ‘ (pen.)
Stadium: Sonnenseestadion
Attendance: 4,200Arsenal v Beşiktaş 29 July 2003
( )
Friendly 1–0Styria18:00
Bergkamp 48 ‘
Report
Stadium: Bad Waltersdorf Stadion Colour key: Green = Arsenal gain ; Yellow = draw ; Red = opponents win .
FA Community Shield [edit ]
The 2003 edition of the FA Community Shield, an annual English football match, was contested between Manchester United and Arsenal at Cardiff ‘s Millennium Stadium on 10 August. Arsenal participated in the match as a result of their FA Cup win in 2002–03, while Manchester United were the league champions. Lehmann made his first competitive start for Arsenal and Touré continued to spouse Campbell in central defense. [ 72 ] United took a 15th-minute contribute through Mikaël Silvestre, but Henry equalised for Arsenal soon after, from a free-kick. [ 73 ] Jeffers was sent off in the second one-half for kicking out at Phil Neville and no further goals scored meant the result of the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out. [ 73 ] Goalkeeper Tim Howard saved Van Bronckhorst and Pires ‘ spot kicks as United won the game 4–3 on penalties. [ 73 ] Wenger made reference to Arsenal ‘s first gear crowd turnout after the match and suggested it meant there was “ less and less appetite ” for the Shield. [ 74 ] He was unhappy with the league season commencing on the follow Saturday : “ I would have preferred to have had two more weeks, specially for the french players who were in the Confederations Cup. We surely were not angstrom fit as Manchester United and know many of our players were behind them fitness-wise. ” [ 74 ]
Premier League [edit ]
The 2003–04 season of the Premier League saw 20 teams play 38 matches ; two against every early team, with one match at each club ‘s stadium. Three points were awarded for each win, one point per describe, and none for defeats. At the end of the season the top two teams qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League ; teams in one-third and one-fourth needed to play a modifier. [ 75 ]
Arsenal hosted Everton at Highbury on the open weekend of the season. Campbell was sent off in the 25th minute, for a professional cheating on Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen. Arsenal, despite their man disadvantage, went two goals up after 58 minutes, before Tomasz Radzinski scored for the visitors deep on. [ 76 ] A trip to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough a workweek after ended in a 4–0 win ; the first three goals, scored by Henry, Gilberto Silva and Sylvain Wiltord all came in the first half. [ 77 ] Three days later, Campbell and Henry each scored as Aston Villa were beaten by two goals. [ 78 ] Arsenal continued their perfect depart to the season, with an away succeed against Manchester City on 31 August 2003. As Campbell was suspended, Martin Keown came into the first base team to spouse Touré. [ 79 ] Although Arsenal conceded first gear – a “ amusing ” own finish by Lauren – and played “ the worst 45 minutes that any of their fans could remember ” according to journalist Matt Dickinson, Wiltord equalised in the irregular half, before Freddie Ljungberg had taken advantage of a Seaman error to score the succeed finish. [ 79 ] After four matches, Arsenal stood in first side, three points clear of Manchester United. [ 80 ] Due to international fixtures, Arsenal did not play another game for two weeks. On the resumption of club football, they faced newly promoted Portsmouth at family. Striker Teddy Sheringham gave the visitors a deserve lead, before Arsenal were awarded a penalty when Pires was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area by Dejan Stefanović. [ 81 ] Henry scored, and though their performance perceptibly improved in the second half, the game ended in a draw. [ 81 ] Portsmouth director Harry Redknapp complained about the penalty decisiveness post-match and felt Pires “ …was going to get a chicken poster [ for diving ]. ” [ 81 ] The musician himself denied accusations that he deceived the referee : “ I did not dive and I am not a darnel. That is not the room I play. ” [ 82 ] A workweek later, Arsenal travelled to face Manchester United at Old Trafford. Pires and Wiltord were dropped by Wenger in privilege of Ray Parlour and Ljungberg ; Campbell did not travel due to kin mourning. [ 83 ] In the eightieth moment, Vieira was sent off for a second bookable umbrage ; he attempted to kick out at striker Ruud vanguard Nistelrooy, which was seen by referee Steve Bennett. [ 83 ] With the score 0–0, United were awarded a punishment in the 90th moment, but Van Nistelrooy ‘s position kick hit the stripe and rebounded back into play. [ 83 ] At the final whistle, Van Nistelrooy was immediately confronted by several Arsenal players, which escalated into an affray between both teams. [ 83 ] Six of Arsenal ‘s players ( Ashley Cole, Lauren, Keown, Parlour, Lehmann, Vieira ) were subsequently charged with improper lead by The Football Association ( FA ), while the baseball club were fined £175,000, the largest ever given to a club by the FA. [ 84 ] Lauren received a four-game ban, whereas Vieira and Parlour were given one-match suspensions. [ 85 ] In their future match, Arsenal defeated Newcastle United by three goals to two ; the achiever was a penalty scored by Henry. [ 86 ] Vieira suffered an injury during the game ; this commenced a period of him being in and out of the side, for two months. [ 87 ] Arsenal then faced Liverpool on the beginning weekend of October at Anfield. In the absence of Vieira, Parlour was on duty as captain, while Campbell replaced Keown in defense. [ 88 ] [ 89 ] Aliadière was paired aboard Henry in attack. [ 89 ] Arsenal went a goal depressed after 11 minutes, but equalised when Sami Hyypiä unintentionally diverted Edu ‘s header, from an arsenal free-kick. [ 90 ] Pires scored the winner in the second half, which maintained the team ‘s head at the exceed of the league mesa. [ 90 ] [ 91 ] The Times correspondent Oliver Kay described Arsenal ‘s rejoinder as “ spirit ” and noted a difference with the team, in comparison to the previous season :
…recent events have taught them to place substance ahead of stylus. It may be less attractive to the purists, but there is no doubt that their new rugged approach has given them a more awful look. A year ago, they were producing football of a luster rarely witnessed in this country or elsewhere. This season, with such fluency proving elusive, they have been grinding out results with an efficiency bordering on the Teutonic. [ 90 ]
A tightly-fought equal against Chelsea at home was settled by a second half error by goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, which presented Henry with his one-seventh league goal in nine matches. [ 92 ] Both teams up until that point were charge on points at the acme of the table and unbeaten. [ 93 ] Wenger noted after the match that Chelsea ‘s bigger team would serve them well as the season progressed, but stressed his smaller team had stability : “ We have been in concert for years and have the ease of knowing we have won things ahead. When we are challenged, we become evening more unite. ” [ 94 ] Arsenal ended October with a 1–1 draw against Charlton Athletic. [ 95 ] After 10 games, Arsenal garnered 24 points. The point earnt at Charlton was enough for the team to move back into first situation, which had been occupied by Chelsea. [ 96 ]
Arsenal began November with a stumble to Elland Road to face Leeds United. There were no changes to the team from the Charlton game ; for Leeds, Pennant started against his rear clubhouse after being granted license by Wenger. [ 97 ] Arsenal ‘s victory by four goals to one was identical to the scoreline in the equate fixture of last season. [ 98 ] In a match report for the News of the World, diarist Martin Samuel picked Henry as the serviceman of the match and asserted Arsenal remained the team to beat. [ 99 ] Attention soon turned to the North London bowler hat, where Arsenal played Tottenham Hotspur on 8 November 2003. Tottenham had not beaten their rivals since November 1999 and their death acquire at Highbury had come a ten previously. [ 100 ] [ 101 ] Kanu was brought into the starting line-up to partner Henry, as Wiltord was ruled out with a calf form. [ 102 ] Arsenal conceded an early finish after Darren Anderton capitalised on a defensive confusion, but they scored two deep goals in what was described as “ another bumble ” performance in The Observer. [ 101 ] The result put Arsenal four points clear in first, albeit temporarily as Chelsea ‘s acquire at home to Newcastle United 24 hours former cut their opening to one point. [ 103 ]
Thierry Henry missed only one league match in the season, away to Leicester City. Arsenal did not play another bet on for a fortnight because of the international football break. On the resumption of cabaret football, they played Birmingham City off from home. As suspensions came into military action and there were injuries to first-team players, Wenger was forced to reshuffle his team. Clichy was handed his full debut and Pascal Cygan made his first originate of the season, partnering Campbell. [ 104 ] Ljungberg opened the seduce for Arsenal inside four minutes and far goals by Bergkamp and Pires ensured the team won their one-third straight match of November. [ 105 ] By extending their unbeaten run from the start of the season to 13 league matches, Arsenal set a new Premier League phonograph record. [ 105 ] They were then held by Fulham to a scoreless draw who became the beginning team to deny Arsenal from scoring in 46 league matches at Highbury. [ 106 ] The Guardian correspondent David Lacey summarised Arsenal ‘s football on the day as “ firm in the string section but shortstop on percussion section ” and noted they reverted to the pattern of scoring a perfect goal, rather of being effective. [ 107 ] Chelsea ‘s 1–0 win over Manchester United meant Arsenal moved down to moment locate on the final day of November. [ 108 ] Two more points were dropped in Arsenal ‘s adjacent equal, away to Leicester City on the first weekend of December. Henry was lacking from the starting team as was captain Vieira. Arsenal had taken the lead at the hour mark through a Gilberto header, but conceded the equalizer in stop time. [ 109 ] What made matters worse was the dismissal of Cole for a bipedal lunge on Ben Thatcher ; he missed the team ‘s next three fixtures as a result. [ 110 ] Wenger said afterwards : “ It looked like Ashley wanted to get the ball but it was a bipedal undertake that was excessively high, it was a red tease and we have to accept it. ” [ 110 ] A goal from Bergkamp earned Arsenal a 1–0 win the play along week, at home to Blackburn Rovers. Chelsea ‘s frustration a day before meant the acquire for Arsenal was adequate to take them back top, a compass point clear of Manchester United, who were now in second place. [ 111 ] Arsenal then travelled to the Reebok Stadium to play Bolton on 20 December 2003, the setting where their entitle challenge faltered eight months ago. [ 112 ] Although they again picked up precisely a point, Wenger believed it was a useful one : “ Provided Bolton keep toy like that, we will look back at this resultant role and feel very glad. They are deoxyadenosine monophosphate good as a team as we have played. ” [ 112 ] On Boxing Day, Henry scored twice for Arsenal in a 3–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. [ 113 ] Three days subsequently, the team played Southampton. The only goal of the match came in the first half : henry ‘s through pass found Pires “ who slid the ball beneath the disclose Antti Niemi “. [ 114 ] The gain meant Arsenal had gone half the season without losing and the team according to The Times had begun to “ establish an aura of indomitability ”. [ 114 ] Arsenal ended the calendar year in second place, with 45 points from 19 matches. They were one point behind leaders Manchester United and three ahead of Chelsea. [ 115 ]
On 7 January 2004, Arsenal played Everton at Goodison Park. Wenger made a host of changes : Cygan was recalled in cardinal defensive structure, which meant Touré was shifted onto the correct and Lauren was dropped, while Parlour started in invest of Gilberto in midfield. [ 116 ] Kanu had given Arsenal the lead in the beginning half, lone for Radzinski to score a “ amply deserved late equalizer ” for Everton with fifteen minutes remaining. [ 117 ] Manchester United ‘s victory at Bolton on the lapp night increased the champions ‘ lead at the clear to three points. [ 118 ] Three days after the Everton match, Arsenal hosted Middlesbrough and put on a display Wenger described as one of the temper ‘s best : “ We kept playing our natural game and could have scored more, ” he said. [ 119 ] [ 120 ] The 4–1 acquire meant Arsenal moved back top of the league, albeit alphabetically as their points, finish dispute and goals scored were identical to that of Manchester United. [ 119 ] A workweek subsequently Arsenal pulse Aston Villa by two goals to nil ; both of the team ‘s goals were scored by Henry. [ 121 ] Controversy surrounded the Frenchman ‘s foremost goal, a promptly taken free-kick which prompted confusion amongst Villa ‘s players and brought about a reaction towards reviewer Mark Halsey, who signalled it was permissible. [ 121 ] After 22 games played, Arsenal were in first identify, two points open of Manchester United. [ 122 ]
“ Some people refuse to appreciate new Arsenal. They placid believe this is the side that Nick Hornby said stand for boring and golden and dirty and cranky and rich and mean. The truth is it is a prerogative to watch new Arsenal. They are Prozac for those used to the commonplace. ”
Rick Broadbent ‘s account of Arsenal ‘s gain against Wolverhampton Wanderers in The Times, 9 February 2004. [ 123 ]
Arsenal remained unbeaten throughout February, winning all five matches. In a home match against Manchester City, Reyes made his beginning appearance for the golf club, coming on as a stand-in in the second half. He had no part in the victorious goal, a “ crunch, beautifully judged 25-yarder ” scored by Henry. [ 124 ] Arsenal recorded an away win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 7 February 2004, their 24th league equal, which bettered a club record of games unbeaten from the start of the temper ( in the first place held by George Graham ‘s team of 1990–91 ). [ 125 ] Wenger in his post-match press conference played down the commemorate, and said of the unbeaten streak : “ You need a little bite of luck and mental qualities. ” [ 125 ] Henry reached a personal landmark against Southampton three days later, scoring his 100th and 101st Premier League goals. [ 126 ] The victory moved Arsenal five points clearly at the clear, although they had played one more game than Manchester United. [ 127 ] A Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Chelsea saw the return of Henry ; he was lacking in Arsenal ‘s FA Cup fifth round win against the lapp opposition. [ 128 ] Arsenal found themselves a goal down after 27 seconds, but responded with an counterweight in the 15th infinitesimal – Bergkamp ‘s “ finely curving elapse ” found Vieira on the left side to shoot the ball past goalkeeper Neil Sullivan. [ 129 ] The achiever came six minutes late : Sullivan misjudged a corner taken by Henry, which allowed Edu to shoot into an empty net. [ 129 ] Arsenal ‘s lead was now seven and it represented “ a stronger position than any they held last season ” according to Wenger. [ 129 ] Touré ‘s conversion into a defender was highlighted in The Times football supplement :
Combined with Manchester United ‘s loss of Rio Ferdinand, [ nota bene 5 ] Kolo Touré ‘s egress as a capable center one-half has probably represented a ten-point swing in the Premiership. If Touré and Campbell stay fit, Arsenal should be more than adequate to of holding on to their seven-point advantage and in Gaël Clichy, they have a predict successor for Ashley Cole. [ 132 ]
The final match of the calendar month was against Charlton at Highbury. Arsenal scored doubly in the quad of the open four minutes, but by the end were “ clinging to their spark advance like anxious kittens ”. [ 133 ] After 27 games, the team stood in first base position and had accumulated 67 points. They were nine points clear of both Chelsea and Manchester United. [ 134 ]
Arsenal carried their good shape into March ; Henry and Pires scored in the frustration of Blackburn Rovers. It was a tug operation from the league leaders, one which served a “ …reminder of the old maxim that championships are won by teams who can pick up points when they are not playing well. ” [ 135 ] Arsenal then played Bolton Wanderers at home ; Wenger made one switch from the previous couple – Bergkamp replaced Reyes upfront. [ 136 ] The blustering conditions forced the game to be delayed by 15 minutes, approximately the same amount of prison term it took Pires to score Arsenal ‘s opener. [ 137 ] By the 24th moment, it was 2–0 : Henry ‘s thwart found Bergkamp who shot the ball past Jussi Jääskeläinen at the first undertake. Although Bolton ‘s operation improved after scoring good before half time, the result was a one-ninth straight league win for Arsenal and kept them nine points clear at the top. [ 137 ] The inflict of Manchester United on 28 March 2004 provided a stern test for Arsenal ; it was both clubs ‘ first meet since the debacle at Old Trafford. [ 138 ] Cole, injured in the wednesday Champions League game against Chelsea, was replaced by Clichy in the starting line-up, while Bergkamp was dropped for Reyes. [ 139 ] Henry gave Arsenal the lead, with a long image nip that swerved past goalkeeper Roy Carroll. [ 140 ] With five minutes of the game left, Louis Saha evaded the Arsenal defensive structure and scored the equalizer for Manchester United. [ 140 ] Arsenal came stopping point to a winner in injury time, only for Lauren to have his shoot saved. [ 140 ] The draw was no good for Sir Alex Ferguson, the director of Manchester United, who afterwards conceded his team ‘s chances : “ They ‘ll ( Arsenal ) go on to win the league now – I ‘m sure of that. They are playing with capital determination … a very hard team, so should win the league actually ”. [ 141 ] In avoiding get the better of, Arsenal set a new all-time league phonograph record of 30 matches unbeaten from the begin of the season, primitively held by Leeds and Liverpool. [ nota bene 6 ] [ 146 ] They remained in first position at the end of March and were seven points in front of Chelsea, with eight matches remaining. [ 147 ]
Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira presented with the trophy at Highbury on the concluding day of the season against Leicester. After two cup exits in the space of a week, Arsenal faced Liverpool on dependable Friday at Highbury. Hyypiä opened the marking for the visitors after five minutes, and in malice of Henry ‘s counterweight barely after the half-hour mark, Liverpool led again before the time interval. [ 148 ] Arsenal responded by scoring twice in a hour ; Henry ‘s second gear finish saw the player hold off Dietmar Hamann in midfield, weave through defender Jamie Carragher and place the ball past Jerzy Dudek. [ 149 ] The striker completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute, after thoroughly work by Bergkamp. [ 148 ] Liverpool director Gérard Houllier likened Arsenal to a “ hurt animal ” after the match and believed Henry was “ the man who made the deviation … he set the tempo ”. [ 148 ] Arsenal played out a scoreless draw with Newcastle United on Bank Holiday Monday, and five days late faced Leeds United. [ 150 ] On a nox where Henry scored four goals and was described by his director as “ the best striker in the world ”, Arsenal moved to within two wins of regaining the league title. [ 151 ] With Chelsea unable to garner utmost points in their following two matches, Arsenal knew before their game away at Tottenham that a disembowel would guarantee their condition as champions. [ 152 ] Cole returned for the bowler hat, after sitting out the Leeds match with an ankle injury. [ 153 ] Arsenal took an early precede when Vieira finished off a counter-attacking move. [ 2 ] Incisive football brought about the second goal, ten-spot minutes before the break. Bergkamp passed the ball to Vieira, who cut it back for Pires to sidefoot. [ 153 ] Tottenham replied in the moment half by scoring doubly – the equalizer a penalty – but it did not stop the Arsenal players celebrating at the final examination whistle “ in front of their supporters ‘ White Hart Lane enclave ”. [ 2 ] This marked the second time the baseball club had been crowned league champions at their rivals ‘ grind : the first fourth dimension had been in 1971. [ 154 ] Wenger praised his team for their achiever, telling the BBC : “ We ‘ve been unusually consistent, have n’t lost a game and we have played stylish football. We have entertained people who barely love football. ” [ 155 ] In May, consecutive draw at home plate to Birmingham City and Portsmouth left Arsenal with 84 points from 36 games. [ 156 ] [ 157 ] [ 158 ] Reyes scored the merely goal of the match against Fulham ; he profited from a mistake by goalkeeper Edwin van five hundred Sar : “ The Dutchman tried to go past the Arsenal forward, but alternatively endow possession and with it the easiest of open goals. ” [ 159 ] Arsenal ‘s final crippled of the league season was against Leicester City. They conceded the opening finish, but turned the equal around in the second half through goals from Henry and Vieira. With 26 wins, 12 draws and no defeats, the team became the first since Preston North End in 1888–89 to go through a league season undefeated. Reviewing the pit and overall temper, Amy Lawrence of The Observer wrote : “ Arsenal ‘s accomplishment may not make them ‘great ‘ in everyone ‘s opinion – those who define enormousness only by european Cups, back-to-back titles, and triple cartwheels on the way to every goal – but it is staggering in its own right. ” [ 160 ]
Matches [edit ]
Arsenal v Chelsea 18 October 2003
( )
9 2–1London15:00 BST
Edu 5 ‘
Henry 75 ‘
Report
Crespo 8 ‘
Makélélé 
11 ‘
Hasselbaink 83 ‘
Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,172
Referee: Paul DurkinArsenal v Fulham 30 November 2003
( )
14 0–0London14:00 GMT
Edu 90 ‘
Report
Legwinski 57 ‘
Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,063
Referee: Graham BarberArsenal v Southampton 10 February 2004
( )
25 2–0London19:45 GMT
Henry 31 ‘, 90 ‘
Vieira 38 ‘
Parlour 63 ‘
Report
Baird 71 ‘
Svensson 90 ‘
Niemi 90 ‘
Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,007
Referee: Neale BarryArsenal v Liverpool 9 April 2004
( )
31 4–2
Read more: Real Sociedad
London12:30 BST
Cole 29 ‘
Henry 31 ‘, 50 ‘, 78 ‘
Pires 49 ‘
Vieira 65 ‘
Lauren 73 ‘
Report
Hyypiä 5 ‘
Owen 42 ‘
Diouf 83 ‘
Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,119
Referee: Alan Wiley Colour key: Green = Arsenal gain ; Yellow = withdraw .
League table [edit ]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
( C ) Champion
Notes: beginning : Premier League Rules for categorization : 1 ) points ; 2 ) goal dispute ; 3 ) number of goals scored.ChampionNotes :
Results by round [edit ]
Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738GroundHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAAHResultWWWWDDWWWDWWWDDWDWWDWWWWWWWWWDWDWDDDWWPosition41111111112112211222111111111111111111[161]
A
= Away;
H
= Home;
W
= Win;
D
= Draw;
L
= Loss source :
FA Cup [edit ]
The FA Cup is English football ‘s primary cup rival. It was first held in 1871–72 with only 15 teams entering ; [ 162 ] the growth of the fun and changes to the contest ‘s social organization meant that by 2000, more than 600 teams took region. [ 163 ] Clubs in the Premier League enter the FA Cup in the third gear round and are drawn randomly out of a hat with the remaining clubs. If a pit is drawn it is replayed, normally at the prime of the team who were away for the first base game. As with league fixtures, FA Cup matches are subject to change in the consequence of games being selected for television coverage and this frequently can be influenced by clashes with other competitions. [ 164 ] In the case of Arsenal, all but one of their ties ( fourthly round ) was televised to the british audience. [ 165 ] [ 166 ] Arsenal entered the 2003–04 edition as holders of the cup. The team were undefeated in 14 cup ties since their 2–1 loss to Liverpool in the 2001 FA Cup Final, and aimed to win the rival for a third gear temper in sequence, something last achieved by Blackburn Rovers from 1884 to 1886. [ 167 ] Henry believed Arsenal ‘s good cup form showed they were “ concern ” in the rival and hoped their achiever would continue. [ 167 ] The FA Cup was not high in Wenger ‘s precedence list – “ The [ Premier League ] and the Champions League are more significant, ” but he clarified this never meant Arsenal intended to neglect the competition : “ You win what you can and go arsenic far as you can. ” [ 168 ]
A 2007 photograph of the Revie Stand at Elland Road, the background where Arsenal faced Leeds United in the third round Arsenal were drawn to face Leeds United off in the third base round ; the match was played on the first weekend of January. [ 169 ] Wenger made six changes to the team which started at Southampton in the league, including Cole replacing Clichy at left-back after serving his three-match suspension. After eight minutes, Leeds went ahead when Lehmann ‘s goal headroom hit striker Mark Viduka and rebounded into the net. [ 170 ] Arsenal equalised through Henry, who converted Ljungberg ‘s cross from the right on a volley. [ 170 ] Additional goals from Edu, Pires and Touré inflicted a one-third straight 4–1 get the better of for Leeds against Arsenal at Elland Road. [ 170 ] At home to Middlesbrough in the one-fourth round, Bergkamp opened the seduce for Arsenal, following good play from Parlour. [ 171 ] Joseph-Désiré Job equalised for the away team four minutes after, [ 171 ] but Ljungberg restored Arsenal ‘s lead with a guess outside the penalty corner and scored a second, lead from a corner. [ 171 ] George Boateng was sent off for the visitors in the 86th minute for two bookable offences and ersatz David Bentley added a fourth goal for Arsenal, chipping the ball over goalkeeper Schwarzer in the final minute of normal time. [ 171 ] In the fifth round, Arsenal played Chelsea at Highbury. Five minutes before the end of the beginning half, striker Adrian Mutu gave Chelsea the contribute, with a injection from 20 yards. [ 172 ] Reyes, who replaced Henry in the originate football team for the tie, levelled the scoreline with a long compass campaign. [ 172 ] He beat goalkeeper Sullivan for pace to score his moment, which later proved to be the winning finish of the match. [ 172 ] The quarter-final scar Arsenal against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on 6 March 2004. Henry opened the score in the twenty-fifth infinitesimal and further goals from himself, Ljungberg and Touré secured the team ‘s passage into the end four of the competition. [ 173 ] Edu was singled out for praise by The Guardian analogous Kevin McCarra, who enthused over the visitors ‘ performance : “ Arsenal echoed the Ajax philosophy as players swapped position and kept changing the point of attack before the hypnotize eyes of the opposition. ” [ 173 ] manchester United were Arsenal ‘s opponents for the semi-final, staged at Villa Park on 3 April 2004. Both teams had settled for a string in the league the former Sunday, but given this was for a position in the final, the stakes were much higher. United defender Gary Neville described the plot as his team ‘s “ most important ” of the season after they were eliminated from the Champions League and he deemed them “ excessively far behind ” in the Premier League. [ 174 ] Wenger rested Henry, mindful of the team ‘s approaching regular congestion. Although Arsenal started the better of the two teams, it was United midfielder Paul Scholes who scored the only goal of the game which ensured their advancement into the final. [ 175 ]
Colour key: Green = Arsenal succeed ; Red = opponents win .
The Football League Cup is a cup competition afford to clubs in the Premier League and Football League. Like the FA Cup it is played on a hard footing, with the exception of the semi-finals, which are contested over a two-legged draw. Wenger ‘s tenure at Arsenal has seen him use the contest to field younger and lesser known players, something he and Ferguson were initially criticised for in 1997. [ 176 ] While Ferguson felt it was an unwanted distraction at the time, Wenger said : “ If the competition wants to survive it must offer the incentive of a european topographic point. ” [ 177 ] [ 178 ] The winners of the League Cup in the 2003–04 temper earnt entry into the UEFA Cup, unless they qualified for the UEFA Champions League through their league stead. [ 179 ] League Cup matches are national to change in the event of games being selected for television receiver coverage, inclement weather and potential rival clashes. All rounds up until the concluding are played in wednesday. [ 180 ] Arsenal entered the League Cup in the third round and were drawn at base to Rotherham United. [ 181 ] Wenger handed midfielder Cesc Fàbregas his debut at 16 years and 177 days ; as of 2016 is still the youngest player to turn out for the club. [ 182 ] Arsenal led from the 11th minute through an Aliadière goal, but conceded an counterweight recently on which forced extra clock time. [ 183 ] Rotherham goalkeeper Mike Pollitt was sent off for handling the ball outside his penalty area ; his substitute Gary Montgomery denied Wiltord from scoring the winner. As there were no further goals, the match was decided on penalties which Arsenal won 9–8 in the gunfight. [ 183 ] Fellow divisional opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers were defeated 5–1 by Arsenal in the fourth round ; Vieira, absent through injury in September and October, made his first team come back and played the full equal. [ 184 ] In the fifth rung, Arsenal travelled to The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion. Wenger added experience to the side to complement young person, with Parlour, Edu, Kanu and Keown all have. Arsenal took the lead in the twenty-fifth minute through Kanu. Lauren ‘s cross from the right-hand side deflected in the direction of the striker. [ 185 ] His header was saved by goalkeeper Russell Hoult, who was ineffective to deny Kanu shooting the bounce ball into the web. Aliadière scored Arsenal ‘s second goal of the match following Hoult ‘s poor clearance. [ 185 ] Arsenal exited the competition in the semi-finals against Middlesbrough. At Highbury, the fix for the first leg, Juninho scored the alone finish of the affiliation. [ 186 ] Arsenal ‘s tax of progress was made more difficult after Keown was sent off in the second leg and Boudewijn Zenden doubled Middlesbrough ‘s aggregate scoreline. Though Edu equalised for Arsenal on the night, Reyes ‘ own goal earnt Middlesbrough the succeed. [ 187 ] Wenger opined of the leave : “ I do n’t think we deserved to lose ; even when we were down to 10 men we were running the game. ” [ 187 ]
Colour key: Green = Arsenal gain ; Yellow = draw ; Red = opponents win .
UEFA Champions League [edit ]
The UEFA Champions League is a continental club football contest organised by UEFA. Founded in the 1950s as the european Champion Clubs ‘ Cup, the competition was open to champion clubs of each nation and arranged as a straight knockout tournament. [ 188 ] The growth of television receiver rights saw the format rebranded in the 1990s to include a group stage and allow multiple entrants. [ 188 ] [ 189 ] Arsenal had qualified for every Champions League season since 1998–99, but the club never progressed further than the quarter-final stage. [ 190 ] Ahead of the new campaign, Wenger assessed his team needed to perform in the home games, adding : “ We are mature adequate now and we must add that little snatch of sparkle to make the remainder. ” [ 190 ]
Group stage [edit ]
A notice outside Highbury, advertising Arsenal ‘s approaching pit against Inter Milan. Arsenal were drawn in Group B, along with italian golf club Inter Milan, Lokomotiv Moscow of Russia and Ukraine ‘s Dynamo Kyiv. [ 191 ] Wenger believed the trips to Eastern Europe threatened his team ‘s chances of winning the Premier League : “ The other english teams have more comfortable groups than we do. It is street fighter to go to Russia – I constantly say that if you have to travel more than two hours it is unmanageable. Sometimes the players pay a high price in the games that follow the Champions League matches. ” [ 192 ] Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a 3–0 frustration against Inter Milan. Goals from Julio Ricardo Cruz, Andy van five hundred Meyde and Obafemi Martins all in the first half extended Arsenal ‘s scat of six family games in the contest without a winnings. [ 193 ] Wenger said afterwards : “ We can complain and cry the wholly night but that will not change the resultant role. The only thing we can do is to respond. ” [ 194 ] The team, without Campbell and Vieira, earned a draw away to Lokomotiv Moscow, but remained bottomland of the group. [ 195 ] Arsenal lost to Dynamo Kyiv in belated October ; Wenger ‘s decision to shift from his favored 4–4–2 constitution caused the team to play more specialize than usual. [ 196 ] Cole scored the winning goal in the reverse fixture at Highbury. A cross by Wiltord was flicked on by Henry in the guidance of an incoming Cole, who dived to head the ball past goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskyi. [ 197 ] The team scored four goals in the second half against Inter Milan and won 5–1. Wenger felt the result showed there was “ …a special mental strength in the team ”, while Cole compared it to England ‘s victory against Germany in 2001 but added “ this was evening better. ” [ 198 ] Arsenal won 2–0 against Lokomotiv Moscow to top Group B. Jacob Lekgetho ‘s dismissal in the one-eighth infinitesimal meant the visitors played the end of the match with ten men. [ 199 ]
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification
1
Arsenal
6
3
1
2
9
6
+3
10
Advance to knockout stage
2
Lokomotiv Moscow
6
2
2
2
7
7
0
8
3
Internazionale
6
2
2
2
8
11
−3
8
Transfer to UEFA Cup
4
Dynamo Kyiv
6
2
1
3
8
8
0
7
Colour key: Green = Arsenal win ; Yellow = reap ; Red = opponents win .
Knockout phase [edit ]
Round of 16 [edit ]
Arsenal were paired up against Celta Vigo in the last 16 stage and the inaugural stage was held at the Balaídos. [ 200 ] Although they conceded two goals from set pieces, Arsenal scored three times to win the crippled which put the team in a favorable position given the off goals govern. [ 201 ] Their passing was secured with a 2–0 gain on 10 March 2004 ; Henry scored both goals for the team. [ 202 ]
Colour key: Green = Arsenal succeed ; Yellow = draw ; Red = opponents win .
In the quarter-finals, Arsenal met mate English clubhouse Chelsea. The draw disappointed vice-chairman Dein : “ One of the gladden of playing in Europe is playing teams from abroad – and having played Chelsea three times, it is a bite anti-climactic. ” [ 203 ] The first leg, played at Stamford Bridge ended in a draw with Guðjohnsen and Pires scoring for their respective clubs. Arsenal were unable to take advantage of Marcel Desailly ‘s dismissal in the second one-half, but Wenger felt his team were in a good military position to progress : “ Our chief calculate will be to win the game at Highbury and we know we can do that. ” [ 204 ] Henry, rested for the FA Cup semi-final match, started aboard Reyes for the second stage. It was the latter fore who gave Arsenal the leave in injury time of the first gear half, but Frank Lampard equalised for Chelsea in the 51st moment. With three minutes remaining of the match, defender Wayne Bridge scored to eliminate Arsenal from the competition. [ 205 ]
Colour key: Green = Arsenal winnings ; Yellow = draw ; Red = opponents win .
Player statistics [edit ]
Arsenal used a full of 34 players during the 2003–04 season and there were 15 different goalscorers. There were besides three team members who did not make a first-team appearance in the campaign. The team played in a 4–4–2 geological formation throughout the season, with two across-the-board midfielders. Touré featured in 55 matches – the most of any Arsenal musician in the campaign and Lehmann started in all 38 league matches. The team scored a total of 114 goals in all competitions. The highest scorer was Henry, with 39 goals, followed by Pires who scored 19 goals. Three of Arsenal ‘s goals in the 2003–04 season ( Henry against Manchester City and Liverpool, Vieira against Tottenham Hotspur ) were shortlisted for Goal of the Season by viewers of ITV ‘s The Premiership. [ 206 ] Five arsenal players were sent off during the season : Jeffers, Vieira, Campbell, Cole and Keown .
- Key
No. = Squad number Pos = Playing placement Nat. = nationality Apps = Appearances
GK = Goalkeeper DF = defender MF = Midfielder FW = Forward
= Yellow cards 
= Red cards
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute. Players with name struck through and marked 
left the club during the playing season.
reservoir : [ 207 ]
Awards [edit ]
In recognition of the team ‘s accomplishment, Wenger was awarded the Barclaycard Manager of the Year. A spokesperson of the awards panel said of the decision : “ Arsène Wenger is a identical worthy recipient role of this award and has sent his team into the history books. Arsenal have played exciting attacking football throughout the season and finishing it unbeaten is a feat that may not be repeated for another 100 years. ” [ 208 ] Henry was given the award of PFA Players ‘ Player of the year by his colleague peers and the FWA Footballer of the year by football writers for the moment consecutive season. He came runner-up in both the 2003 FIFA World Player of the year and the 2003 Ballon d’Or. [ 209 ] Three Arsenal players received the Premier League Player of the Month award – Henry twice in January and April 2004, and Bergkamp and Edu shared the award in February 2004 after the judges “ felt it was allow that we make a joint award ”. [ 210 ] Wenger was the Premier League Manager of the Month in August 2003 and February 2004. [ 211 ]
Aftermath and bequest [edit ]
Arsenal ‘s players and fans celebrate their Premier League win with an open-top bus parade. A day after the Leicester City match, Arsenal paraded the Premier League trophy on an open-top busbar, in front of more than 250,000 fans. [ 212 ] The victory parade commenced at Highbury and ended at Islington Town Hall. [ 212 ] At the town dormitory balcony, Vieira addressed the push : “ It has been a fantastic season. We achieved something improbable but we could n’t have done it without the fans. ” [ 213 ] In an consultation with the BBC, Dein added : “ We ‘ve seen history made and I ‘d be surprised if it happens again. It ‘s just been a prerogative to watch Arsenal this season. ” [ 213 ] Arsenal ‘s accomplishment of going through the league season unbeaten received considerable praise from those involved in football. Derek Shaw, the chair of Preston offered his congratulations as they equalled his club ‘s record of completing a league season without defeat, set 115 years previously. [ 214 ] brazilian Roberto Carlos likened Arsenal ‘s style of play to “ samba football ” while Michel Platini applauded the team ‘s “ big flare and spirit ”. [ 215 ] Former Arsenal coach George Graham attributed the success to defensive improvements, since mistakes the former season had proved costly and former striker Alan Smith felt the team were “ surely the best Highbury ‘s always seen ”. [ 216 ] [ 217 ]
“ Without a doubt going the whole season unbeaten is my great accomplishment. If you win the championship you feel person else can come in and do better than you. It was always my ambition to go the whole season unbeaten because there ‘s not much more anyone can do to beat that. ”
– Arsène Wenger, September 2009 [ 218 ]
The Premier League commissioned a singular aureate trophy to commemorate Arsenal ‘s accomplishment. The british urge unanimously praised Arsenal ‘s feat once the temper drew to a close ; the News of the World branded the team as “ Immortals ”, while The Sunday Times led with the headline “ Arsenal the New Invincibles ”. [ 219 ] In an differently positive mirror image of Arsenal ‘s season, Glenn Moore wrote for The Independent : “ There may thus have been some truth in Arsène Wenger ‘s declaration that Arsenal ‘s accomplishment was a greater gloat than winning the Champions ‘ League. Arsenal ‘s drawn-out celebrations reflected the scale of this landmark and so far, when they reflect in the summer break, how many players will agree with Wenger ? “. [ 220 ] A one-off gold replica trophy was commissioned by the Premier League thereafter ; it was awarded to Arsenal before their first gear home game of the follow season. [ 221 ] The team eclipsed the league record of 42 matches without get the better of ( set by Nottingham Forest ) against Blackburn Rovers and went seven more matches unbeaten until they lost – away to Manchester United in October 2004. [ 222 ] Although Arsenal regained the FA Cup – on penalties against United – they finished second gear to Chelsea in the league. [ 223 ] The move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 coincided with a transitional phase for the club. Several experienced beginning teamers were displaced in favor of youth and the style of football shifted more towards ball memory. [ 224 ] Arsenal have since failed to regain the league title ; they however remained a regular in the Champions League under Wenger ‘s stewardship in the years after. [ 225 ] The title succeed at White Hart Lane came third in a list of Arsenal ‘s Greatest 50 Moments, and the performance at the San Siro was ranked one-tenth. [ 226 ] In 2012, the Arsenal team of 2003–04 won the “ Best team ” category in the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards. [ 227 ]
See besides [edit ]
Notes [edit ]
- ^[5] Before the startle of the league season, Wenger told reporters : “ cipher will finish above us in the league. It would n’t surprise me if we were to go unbeaten for the whole of the season. ”
- ^[11] See In 2005, the Glazer class took possession of Manchester United, which was valued at £800 million.See Glazer ownership of Manchester United for a fuller explanation .
- ^ The average prediction of writers Richard Williams, Kevin McCarra, Michael Walker, Daniel Taylor, Dominic Fifield, Jon Brodkin and Ron Atkinson
- ^[22] such was the difficulty of raising cash, Arsenal introduced a adhere scheme in the summer of 2003. This gave supporters a right to buy a temper ticket at Highbury and at the new stadium, equally well as entitlement to dividends of up to £100 per season depending on Arsenal ‘s successes in the coming five years. For a price of between £3,500 and £5,000, 3,000 bonds were issued. Arsenal launched a similar scheme in the early 1990s to raise income for the redevelop North Bank terrace at Highbury, which was criticised for pricing the less well-off from watching the game ; the first base dodge was sanely successful as a third base of all bonds were sold. Arsenal raised several million pounds through the second dodge, though did not reveal the number of buyers. They besides never specified whether this was spent on the team, or the financing of the stadium .
- ^[130] United’s appeal of the ban failed several months afterwards; Ferguson later cited his absence as one of the reasons behind the club’s failure to retain the Premier League.[131] Ferdinand was found guilty of misconduct after missing a drugs screen. In December 2003, he was banned from all forms of competitive football for eight months.United ‘s attract of the ban failed several months afterwards ; Ferguson late cited his absence as one of the reasons behind the golf club ‘s bankruptcy to retain the Premier League .
- ^[142][143][144] although Preston North End were the first English side to go a league season unbeaten, they had only played 22 games.[145] The aforesaid clubs set their records in a 42 and 40-match league season respectively ; although Preston North End were the first english side to go a league season unbeaten, they had entirely played 22 games .
References [edit ]
specific [edit ]
Sources [edit ]
- Conn, David (2005). The Beautiful Game?: Searching for the Soul of Football. London: Random House. ISBN 1-4464-2042-6.
- Tribute to the Invincibles at Arsenal.com
Read more: Sevilla FC