Arsenal’s astonishing achievement in the 2003/04 Premier League season of going through the whole campaign undefeated has seen them voted as the greatest individual Team of the Premier League 20 Seasons.

That Arsenal side is now known by a simple, indisputable title – ‘The Invincibles’. Arsene Wenger’s side went through the season with a record of: Played 38, Won 26, Drew 12, Lost 0. It was the first time a top-flight team had not lost a single fixture since Preston North End 115 years previously – and Arsenal’s season was 16 matches longer.

The amazing run was not only achieved by a typically resolute Gunners’ line-up – which featured such stars as Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Patrick Vieira – Arsenal’s class of 2003/04 had real flair. They had Dennis Bergkamp, Frederik Ljungberg and Robert Pires tormenting defences, and the great Thierry Henry proving as deadly as he was stylish with 30 Premier League goals.

The Team of the 20 Seasons Award is part of the Premier League’s 20 Seasons celebrations, which are designed to honour the players, managers and football that has taken place over the two decades of the world’s most watched and supported football league. In a Panel vote, Arsenal beat off stiff competition from Blackburn Rovers 1994/95, Manchester United 1998/99, Chelsea 2004/05 and Manchester United 2007/08.

Speaking about The Invincibles winning the Premier League Team of the 20 Seasons, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said:

“I am very proud of this and very happy. I told the players at the time that they could achieve something special once we were champions – being invincible. And they did it. At the time they didn’t realise how much it would mean in the future, but I’m very proud of the achievement of course.

“My target is to get Arsenal back to that level. I feel personally that we are not far away from being able to fight for the championship, and let’s hope we can show that next season.”

300,000 fans voted in the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards casting over 4.4m votes in five categories: Goal, Match, Save, Goal Celebration and Fantasy Team of the 20 Seasons. In addition, there are also six panel categories: Player, Manager, Team, Season, Most Memorable Quote and Fantasy Team of the 20 Seasons. The remaining final Awards will be revealed at a made-for-media event on Tuesday 15 May, when the Player and Manager of the 20 Seasons Awards will be announced.

-Ends-

For more information please contact the Press Office on 020 7864 9190 or go to www.premierleague.com

 

= = =