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2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season

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Arsenal
2003–04 season
ChairmanEngland Peter Hill-Wood
ManagerFrance Arsène Wenger
FA Barclaycard Premiership1st
FA CupSemi-finals
Carling CupSemi-finals
FA Community ShieldRunners-up
UEFA Champions LeagueQuarter-finals
Top goalscorerLeague:
Thierry Henry
(30)
All:
Thierry Henry
(39)
Highest home attendance38,184 – (vs. Manchester United, 28 March, Premiership)
Lowest home attendance27,451 – (vs. Rotherham United, 28 October, Carling Cup)

The 2003–04 season was Arsenal Football Club's 12th season in the Premier League, and their 74th consecutive season in the top division of English football.[1] In remarkable fashion, the team from North London managed to go through an entire league campaign undefeated[2][3] and regain their status as Premiership champions, thus becoming only the second team to do so since Preston North End in 1889. Remarkably manager Arsène Wenger had predicted in 2002 that his squad was good enough to go unbeaten for an entire season,[4] an accomplishment which he cited as a personal goal of his.[5]

Although the team did not achieve similar dominance in other competitions, being eliminated in Champions League quarter-final to Chelsea and reaching the FA Cup and Carling Cup semi finals, its league success was regarded by many commentators as a truly historic achievement.[6]

Arsenal's most significant signing of the summer was arguably former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, in a £1.5 million deal;[7] however, the club did also negotiate new contracts for captain Patrick Vieira and winger Robert Pirès.[8]

Background

See also: Premier League 2001-02 and Premier League 2002-03
After his team's impressive start to the 2002–03 season, Arsène Wenger insisted that his squad could remain unbeaten in every competition.[9]

Liverpool's comeback against Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup Final prompted manager Arsène Wenger to admit new players would be brought in during the transfer window.[10] To fill with the void left by Emmanuel Petit in the centre of midfield, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was signed from Rangers for £8.5 million.[11] Defender Sol Campbell controversially moved from rivals Tottenham Hotspur on a free, while highly rated teenager Francis Jeffers was snapped up from Everton in an initial £8 million deal.[12] Junichi Inamoto and Richard Wright were also recruited with Nelson Vivas the only major player leaving the club.

Arsenal began the season relatively well and remained in the title race after an impressive away display at Liverpool in December. Despite going down to ten men in the first half, Thierry Henry converted a spot kick while Freddie Ljungberg scored a second through a counter attack. The win came off the back of Newcastle inflicting the Gunners' third and final defeat of the season. By March, Manchester United's slip up away to Derby installed Arsenal as favourites for the title. The Gunners won their eight remaining Premier League games — 13 in total, to regain the title without the services of in-form winger Robert Pirès who was injured. Five days previously the FA Cup was won, beating Chelsea 2–0 to complete the club's third double and second in four years. Wenger hoped his team's success would begin an era of dominating English football for years to come.[13] He also aimed for significant improvement in the Champions League, a competition where the club reached higher than the group stages twice in four attempts.

Although setting the Premier League alight in the first period of the subsequent season, Arsenal failed to retain the title, losing out to Manchester United who completed an 18 match unbeaten streak from the end of December. In an interview with the Daily Mirror a month after the season got underway, Wenger revealed his ambition would be for Arsenal to remain undefeated in all competitions, citing it as "possible" if the attitude was right.[4] He was often misquoted over and widely ridiculed over the issue.[14][15] Wayne Rooney's stoppage time goal however in October inflicted their first defeat of the season away to Everton, followed by losses to Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and Manchester United. What seemed like the title being won again in Manchester - this time away to Manchester City as early as in February was up in the air by April after throwing away a two-nil lead away to Bolton Wanderers. Losing to Leeds United in the following match handed the league championship to Manchester United, who beat Charlton Athletic the previous morning.

Chelsea, who finished fourth at the expense of Liverpool, were taken over in the close season by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, with the aim of making them one of Europe's most lucrative teams.[16] In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Times, Abramovich revealed his interest in Arsenal pair Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell but wanted to keep the club's transfer targets private because of the inflationary repercussions.[17] Club captain Patrick Vieira was also linked with a move away from Highbury, with admirers Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea strongly interested. Wenger, though, ruled out any departures and warned against the implications of Chelsea's new found wealth.[18] After weeks of negotiations, Vieira eventually signed an extension to his current contract, while goalkeeper David Seaman departed to Manchester City, with German international Jens Lehmann joining on a £1.5 million deal.

Key events

Battle of Old Trafford

Template:Details2 On September 21, 2003, Arsenal played rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in what was regarded as a top of the table clash. Both teams occupied the top two places and won four out of their first five matches of the season, with Arsenal drawing at home to Portsmouth and Manchester United losing away to Southampton. The home side were without Paul Scholes due to injury, so Quinton Fortune remained in the center of midfield. Sir Alex Ferguson made only one notable change from his team's 0–2 win at Charlton Athletic; defender Mikaël Silvestre came in for Nicky Butt. Arsenal who lost to Internazionale four days previously brought in Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg to add steel into the midfield as opposed to Robert Pirès and Sylvain Wiltord. Defender Sol Campbell was also a key absentee following the death of his father.

In a match that offered very few clear cut opportunities, Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira was sent off for an alleged kick on striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, reducing his team to ten men. An extraordinary set of events soon followed in stoppage time as referee Steve Bennett awarded a penalty to Manchester United after he deemed Martin Keown of denying Diego Forlán from scoring. Van Nistelrooy stepped forward to take the spot kick but smacked it against the crossbar in what was the final action of the game. The striker was confronted by a group of Arsenal players — Martin Keown, Lauren, Ray Parlour, Ashley Cole and Kolo Touré after the final whistle, with United players Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gary Neville, Mikaël Silvestre, Quinton Fortune and Rio Ferdinand stepping in to resolve the issue.

Final game of the season

In their final game of the season Arsenal faced Leicester City. Their goal of remaining unbeaten looked to be in jeopardy as Leicester took the lead through former Arsenal striker Paul Dickov. However the Gunners were not to be denied their place in history, drawing level in the second half through a Thierry Henry penalty and then captain Patrick Vieira scoring the winner.[19]

Honours

To honour the club's achievement the Premier League commissioned a special gold version of the Premier League trophy which was presented at the start of the 2004–05 season in a game against Middlesbrough.[20] Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was awarded the LMA Manager of the Year award, making him the first person to win the accolade twice. He was also received the Barclaycard Manager of the Season award.

Thierry Henry was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Fans' Player of the Year both for the second consecutive year.[21][22] Henry was also named Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.[23] The PFA team of the year featured six of Arsenal's Invincibles: Lauren, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pirès and Thierry Henry. Vieira and Kolo Toure also received nominations for PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year respectively.

Arsenal were also recognised for their fair play throughout the season winning the Barclaycard Premier League Fair Play Award. Similarly the Arsenal fans were judged to have been the best behaved in the division, winning the Behaviour of the Public League.[24]

Players

Squad information

N
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 EU
 Since
 App
 Goals
 Ends
 Transfer fee
 Notes
1 GK Germany Lehmann 34 EU 2003 54 0 2007 £1.5M
12 RB Cameroon Lauren 27 EU 2000 153 5 2005 £7.2M
23 CB England Campbell 29 EU 2001 145 6 2005 Free
28 CB Ivory Coast Touré 23 Non-EU 2002 95 5 2009 £0.25M
3 LB England Cole 23 EU 2000 140 7 2005 Youth system
8 RM Sweden Ljungberg 27 EU 1998 227 54 2006 £3M
4 CM France Vieira (captain) 27 EU 1996 381 29 2007 £3.5M
19 CM Brazil Gilberto 27 Non-EU 2002 96 7 2006 £4.5M
7 LM France Pires 30 EU 2000 188 56 2007 £6M
10 CF Netherlands Bergkamp 35 EU 1995 331 109 2005 £7.5M
14 CF France Henry 26 EU 1999 256 151 2007 £10.5M
17 CM Brazil Edu 26 Non-EU 2001 62 13 2004 £6M
15 CM England Parlour (VC1) 31 EU 1989 466 32 2004 Youth system
18 CB France Cygan 30 EU 2002 51 1 2006 £2M
11 RM France Wiltord 30 EU 2000 106 38 2004 £13.3M
22 LB France Clichy 18 EU 2003 14 0 Undisclosed £0.25M
22 CF Spain Reyes 20 EU 2004 (Winter) 12 5 2007 £10.5M
25 CF Nigeria Kanu 27 Non-EU 1999 (Winter) 196 44 2004 £4.2M
5 CB England Keown (VC2) 37 EU 1993 449 8 2004 £2M
30 CF France Aliadière 21 EU 1999 7 5 2007 Youth system
39 RM England Bentley 19 EU 2001 9 1 Undisclosed Youth system
33 GK Republic of Ireland Stack 22 EU 1998 5 0 Undisclosed Youth system
27 CB Greece Tavlaridis 24 EU 2001 3 0 Undisclosed Undisclosed
45 RB England Hoyte 19 EU 2002 3 0 Undisclosed Youth system
57 CM Spain Fàbregas 17 EU 2003 3 1 Undisclosed £0.5M
53 AM England Thomas 21 EU 2001 3 0 Undisclosed Youth system
54 CF Ghana Owusu-Abeyie 18 EU 2003 3 0 Undisclosed Youth system
51 RB United States Simek 19 Non-EU 2003 1 0 Undisclosed Youth system
16 CM Netherlands Gio 29 EU 2001 41 1 2004 £8.5M
9 CF England Jeffers 23 EU 2001 30 4 Undisclosed £9M
55 CM Iceland Skúlason 21 EU 2001 1 0 Undisclosed Youth system
32 CF Czech Republic Papadopulos 19 EU 2003 1 0 Undisclosed Loan
52 CM England Spicer 20 EU 2001 1 0 Undisclosed Youth system
56 CF England Smith 17 EU 2001 0 0 Undisclosed Youth system
20 CB Switzerland Senderos 21 EU 2002 (Winter) 0 0 Undisclosed £2.5M
  • Last updated: August 2009
  • Source: Arseweb.com (for country, number, position, appearances, age and since)
  • Ordered by Starting 11 then appearances.

Transfers

In

Out

Loan in

Loan out

Squad stats

Template:Fb ss header 2

|- |1 |GK||Germany | style="text-align:left;" |Lehmann |54 |54 || |10 || |38 || |||5 || ||| || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |12 |RB||Cameroon | style="text-align:left;" |Lauren |45 |47 || |8 || |32 || |||5 || |||1 || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |- |23 |CB||England | style="text-align:left;" |Campbell |50 |50 ||1 |9 || |35 ||1 |||5 || ||| || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |28 |CB||Ivory Coast | style="text-align:left;" |Touré |53 |55 ||3 |10 || |37 ||1 |||5 ||2 |||2 || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |- |3 |LB||England | style="text-align:left;" |Cole |47 |47 ||1 |9 ||1 |32 || |||4 || |||1 || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |8 |RM||Sweden | style="text-align:left;" |Ljungberg |40 |44 ||10 |9 ||2 |30 ||4 |||4 ||4 ||| || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |- |4 |CM||France | style="text-align:left;" |Vieira |43 |44 ||3 |7 || |29 ||3 |||5 || |||2 || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |19 |CM||Brazil | style="text-align:left;" |Gilberto |40 |45 ||5 |8 ||1 |32 ||4 |||3 || |||1 || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |- |7 |LM||France | style="text-align:left;" |Pirès |46 |51 ||19 |10 ||4 |36 ||14 |||4 ||1 ||| || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |10 |CF||Netherlands | style="text-align:left;" |Bergkamp |29 |38 ||5 |6 || |28 ||4 |||3 ||1 ||| || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |- |14 |CF||France | style="text-align:left;" |Henry |50 |51 ||39 |10 ||5 |37 ||30 |||3 ||3 ||| || |||1 ||1 || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |17 |CM||Brazil | style="text-align:left;" |Edu |28 |48 ||7 |8 ||3 |30 ||2 |||5 ||1 |||4 ||1 |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |- |15 |CM||England | style="text-align:left;" |Parlour |27 |38 || |5 || |26 || |||3 || |||3 || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |18 |CB||France | style="text-align:left;" |Cygan |14 |34 || |3 || |28 || ||| || |||3 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |11 |RM||France | style="text-align:left;" |Wiltord |14 |20 ||4 |4 || |12 ||3 ||| || |||3 ||1 |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |22 |LB||France | style="text-align:left;" |Clichy |14 |22 || |1 || |12 || |||4 || |||5 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |22 |LM||Spain | style="text-align:left;" |Reyes |12 |21 ||5 |4 ||1 |13 ||2 |||3 ||2 |||1 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |25 |CF||Nigeria | style="text-align:left;" |Kanu |9 |24 ||3 |7 || |10 ||1 |||3 || |||4 ||2 ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |5 |CB||England | style="text-align:left;" |Keown |8 |15 || |1 || |10 || |||1 || |||3 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |30 |CF||France | style="text-align:left;" |Aliadière |7 |15 ||4 |1 || |10 || |||1 || |||3 ||4 ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |39 |RM||England | style="text-align:left;" |Bentley |5 |8 ||1 |1 || |1 || |||2 ||1 |||4 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |33 |GK||Republic of Ireland | style="text-align:left;" |Stack |5 |5 || | || | || ||| || |||5 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |27 |CB||Greece | style="text-align:left;" |Tavlaridis |3 |3 || | || | || ||| || |||3 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |45 |RB||England | style="text-align:left;" |Hoyte |2 |3 || | || |1 || ||| || |||2 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |57 |CM||Spain | style="text-align:left;" |Fàbregas |2 |3 ||1 | || | || ||| || |||3 ||1 ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |53 |AM||England | style="text-align:left;" |Thomas |1 |3 || | || | || ||| || |||3 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |54 |CF||Ghana | style="text-align:left;" |Owusu-Abeyie |1 |3 || | || | || ||| || |||3 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |51 |RB||United States | style="text-align:left;" |Simek |1 |1 || | || | || ||| || |||1 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |16 |CM||Netherlands | style="text-align:left;" |Gio | |1 || | || | || ||| || ||| || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |9 |CF||England | style="text-align:left;" |Jeffers | |1 || | || | || ||| || ||| || |||1 || || style="font-size:85% | |- |55 |CM||Iceland | style="text-align:left;" |Skúlason | |1 || | || | || ||| || |||1 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |32 |CF||Czech Republic | style="text-align:left;" |Papadopulos | |1 || | || | || ||| || |||1 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |52 |CM||England | style="text-align:left;" |Spicer | |1 || | || | || ||| || |||1 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |56 |CF||England | style="text-align:left;" |Smith | |3 || | || | || ||| || |||3 || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |13 |GK||England | style="text-align:left;" |Taylor | | || | || | || ||| || ||| || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |-class="odd" style="background:#EEEEEE;" |24 |GK||Sweden | style="text-align:left;" |Shaaban | | || | || | || ||| || ||| || ||| || || style="font-size:85% | |- |20 |CB||Switzerland | style="text-align:left;" |Senderos | | || | || | || ||| || ||| || ||| || || style="font-size:85% |

|}

Last updated: 07 September 2010
Source: Arseweb.com
Ordered by Starting 11, then appearances in this season
0 shown as blank

Starting XI

This section shows the most used players for each position considering a 4–4–2 formation.

Scorers

Competitions

Premier League

Classification

Further information: [[:Final League Table]]

Template:Fb cl header Template:Fb cl team Template:Fb cl2 qr Template:Fb cl team Template:Fb cl team Template:Fb cl2 qr Template:Fb cl team Template:Fb cl footer

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
38 26 12 0 73 26  +47 90 15 4 0 40 14  +26 11 8 0 33 12  +21

Last updated: 18 May 2004.
Source: ESPN Soccernet

Results by round

Template:Fb rbr header Template:Fb rbr ground Template:Fb rbr result Template:Fb rbr position Template:Fb rbr footer

UEFA Champions League

Group B

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
England Arsenal 6 3 1 2 9 6 +3 10
Russia Lokomotiv Moscow 6 2 2 2 7 7 0 8
Italy Internazionale 6 2 2 2 8 11 −3 8
Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv 6 2 1 3 8 8 0 7
  ARS INT DK LOK
Arsenal – 0–3 1–0 2–0
Internazionale 1–5 – 2–1 1–1
Dynamo Kyev 2–1 1–1 – 2–0
Lokomotiv Moscow 0–0 3–0 3–2 –

Last updated: July 2010
Source: Competition Article

Matches

FA Barclaycard Premiership

15 August 2003 Match 1 Arsenal 2 – 1 Everton Highbury, London
15:00 BST Campbell Red card 25'
Henry 35' (pen.)
Vieira Yellow card 41'
Pirès 58'		 Report Yellow card 74' Gravesen
Yellow card 78' Rooney
Yellow card 80' Yellow-red card 87' Tie
84' Radzinski		 Attendance: 38,014
Referee: Mark Halsey
24 August 2003 Match 2 Middlesbrough 0 – 4 Arsenal Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
16:05 BST Cooper Yellow card 25' Report 5' Henry
13' Gilberto Silva
22', 60' Wiltord		 Attendance: 29,450
Referee: Dermot Gallagher
27 August 2003 Match 3 Arsenal 2 – 0 Aston Villa Highbury, London
19:05 BST Touré Yellow card 40'
Campbell 57'
Vieira Yellow card 22'
Bergkamp Yellow card 80'
Henry 90'		 Report Yellow card 16' Hendrie
Yellow card 18' Delaney
Yellow card 37' Angel
Yellow card 71' Whittingham		 Attendance: 38,010
Referee: Mike Dean
31 August 2003 Match 4 Manchester City 1 – 2 Arsenal City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
16:05 BST Lauren 10' (o.g.)
Barton Yellow card 49'
Sommeil Yellow card 56'
Tarnat Yellow card 74'
Tiatto Yellow card 75'		 Report Yellow card 34' Cole
48' Wiltord
Yellow card 59' Lauren
72' Yellow card 73' Ljungberg		 Attendance: 46,436
Referee: Graham Poll
13 September 2003 Match 5 Arsenal 1 – 1 Portsmouth Highbury, London
15:00 BST Campbell Yellow card 10'
Henry 40' (pen.)
Touré Yellow card 40'		 Report 26' Sheringham
Yellow card 45' De Zeeuw
Yellow card 48' Stefanovic
Yellow card 65' Schemmel		 Attendance: 38,052
Referee: Alan Wiley
21 September 2003 Match 6 Manchester United 0 – 0 Arsenal Old Trafford, Manchester
16:05 BST Keane Yellow card 22'
van Nistelrooy Yellow card 82'
Ronaldo Yellow card 84'
Fortune Yellow card 90'		 Report Yellow card 54' Touré
Yellow card 61' Keown
Yellow card 79' Yellow-red card 81' Vieira		 Attendance: 67,639
Referee: Steve Bennett
26 September 2003 Match 7 Arsenal 3 – 2 Newcastle United Highbury, London
20:00 BST Henry 18', 80' (pen.)
Gilberto Silva 67'		 Report 26' Yellow card 66' Robert
71' Bernard		 Attendance: 38,112
Referee: Mike Riley
04 October 2003 Match 8 Liverpool 1 – 2 Arsenal Anfield, Liverpool
12:30 BST Kewell 14'
Biscan Yellow card 67'
Welsh Yellow card 85'		 Report 30' (o.g.) Hyypiä
Yellow card 34' Cole
Yellow card 37' Parlour
68' Pirès		 Attendance: 44,374
Referee: Graham Barber
18 October 2003 Match 9 Arsenal 2 – 1 Chelsea Highbury, London
15:00 BST Edu 5'
Henry 75'		 Report 8' Crespo
Yellow card 11' Makélélé
Yellow card 83' Hasselbaink		 Attendance: 38,172
Referee: Paul Durkin
26 October 2003 Match 10 Charlton Athletic 1 – 1 Arsenal The Valley, London
13:00 GMT Di Canio 28' (pen.)
Parker Yellow card 35'		 Report Yellow card 27' Lauren
39' Henry		 Attendance: 26,660
Referee: Steve Dunn
01 November 2003 Match 11 Leeds United 1 – 4 Arsenal Elland Road, Leeds
15:00 GMT Batty Yellow card 30'
Olembé Yellow card 51'
Smith 64'		 Report 8', 33' Henry
17' Pirès
50' Gilberto Silva		 Attendance: 36,491
Referee: Mike Dean
08 November 2003 Match 12 Arsenal 2 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur Highbury, London
15:00 GMT Parlour Yellow card 10'
Pirès 69'
Ljungberg 79'		 Report 5' Yellow card 20' Anderton
Yellow card 14' Konchesky
Yellow card 20' Richards
Yellow card 27' Taricco		 Attendance: 38,101
Referee: Mark Halsey
22 November 2003 Match 13 Birmingham City 0 – 3 Arsenal St Andrew's, Birmingham
15:00 GMT Cissé Yellow card 7' Report 4' Ljungberg
Yellow card 14' Touré
Yellow card 78' Edu
80' Bergkamp
88' Pirès		 Attendance: 29,588
Referee: Paul Durkin
30 November 2003 Match 14 Arsenal 0 – 0 Fulham Highbury, London
14:00 GMT Edu Yellow card 90' Report Yellow card 57' Legwinski Attendance: 38,063
Referee: Graham Barber
06 December 2003 Match 15 Leicester City 1 – 1 Arsenal Walkers Stadium, Leicester
15:00 GMT Ferdinand Yellow card 50'
Hignett 90'		 Report Yellow card 57' Lehmann
60' Gilberto Silva
Red card 73' Cole		 Attendance: 32,108
Referee: Rob Styles
14 December 2003 Match 16 Arsenal 1 – 0 Blackburn Rovers Highbury, London
14:00 GMT Bergkamp 11'
Gilberto Silva Yellow card 29'
Cygan Yellow card 67'		 Report Yellow card 6' Greško
Yellow card 13' Ferguson
Yellow card 42' Babbel
Yellow card 77' Todd		 Attendance: 37,677
Referee: Andy D'Urso
20 December 2003 Match 17 Bolton Wanderers 1 – 1 Arsenal Reebok Stadium, Bolton
15:00 GMT Iván Campo Yellow card 52'
Nolan Yellow card 58'
Pedersen 83'		 Report Yellow card 54' Vieira
57' Pirès
Yellow card 64' Henry		 Attendance: 28,003
Referee: Graham Poll
26 December 2003 Match 18 Arsenal 3 – 0 Wolves Highbury, London
12:00 GMT Craddock 13' (o.g.)
Henry 20', 89'
Aliadière Yellow card 73'
Vieira Yellow card 75'		 Report Yellow card 12' Butler
Yellow card 28' Rae
Yellow card 66' Ince
Yellow card 79' Naylor
Yellow card 80' Luzhny		 Attendance: 38,003
Referee: Phil Dowd
29 December 2003 Match 19 Southampton 0 – 1 Arsenal St Mary's Stadium, Southampton
20:00 GMT McCann Yellow card 87' Report 35' Pirès Attendance: 32,151
Referee: Steve Dunn
07 January 2004 Match 20 Everton 1 – 1 Arsenal Goodison Park, Liverpool
20:00 GMT Radzinski 75' Report Yellow card 22' Parlour
29' Kanu
Yellow card 45' Lauren
Yellow card 54' Ljungberg		 Attendance: 38,726
Referee: Alan Wiley
10 January 2004 Match 21 Arsenal 4 – 1 Middlesbrough Highbury, London
15:00 GMT Gilberto Silva Yellow card 20'
Henry 38' (pen.)
Queudrue 45' (o.g.)
Pirès 57'
Ljungberg 68'		 Report Yellow card 30' Doriva
86' (pen.) Maccarone		 Attendance: 38,117
Referee: Andy D'Urso
18 January 2004 Match 22 Aston Villa 0 – 2 Arsenal Villa Park, Birmingham
14:00 GMT Delaney Yellow card 29'
Mellberg Yellow card 34'
Whittingham Yellow card 45'
Barry Yellow card 59'		 Report 29', 53' (pen.) Henry
Yellow card 55' Vieira		 Attendance: 39,380
Referee: Mark Halsey
01 February 2004 Match 23 Arsenal 2 – 1 Manchester City Highbury, London
16:05 GMT Tarnat 7' (o.g.) Yellow card 37'
Parlour Yellow card 63'
Henry 83'
Cole Yellow card 90'		 Report Yellow card 60' Barton
Yellow card 84' Sinclair
89' Red card 90' Anelka		 Attendance: 38,103
Referee: Alan Wiley
07 February 2004 Match 24 Wolves 1 – 3 Arsenal Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Miller Yellow card 11'
Ganea 26' Yellow card 26'
Irwin Yellow card 67'		 Report 9' Yellow card 31' Bergkamp
58' Henry
63' Touré		 Attendance: 29,392
Referee: Phil Dowd
10 February 2004 Match 25 Arsenal 2 – 0 Southampton Highbury, London
19:45 GMT Henry 31', 90'
Vieira Yellow card 38'
Parlour Yellow card 63'		 Report Yellow card 71' Baird
Yellow card 90' Svensson
Yellow card 90' Niemi		 Attendance: 38,007
Referee: Neale Barry
21 February 2004 Match 26 Chelsea 1 – 2 Arsenal Stamford Bridge, London
12:30 GMT Guðjohnsen 1' Yellow card 42' Yellow-red card 60'
Mutu Yellow card 51'
Terry Yellow card 67'
Lampard Yellow card 67'		 Report 15' Vieira
21' Edu
Yellow card 60' Lauren
Yellow card 90' Henry		 Attendance: 41,847
Referee: Mike Riley
28 February 2004 Match 27 Arsenal 2 – 1 Charlton Athletic Highbury, London
15:00 GMT Pirès 2'
Henry 4'		 Report 59' Jensen Attendance: 38,137
Referee: Graham Barber
13 March 2004 Match 28 Blackburn Rovers 0 – 2 Arsenal Ewood Park, Blackburn
15:00 GMT Andresen Yellow card 54'
 Report 57' Henry
Yellow card 73' Edu
87' Pirès		 Attendance: 28,627
Referee: Alan Wiley
20 March 2004 Match 29 Arsenal 2 – 1 Bolton Wanderers Highbury, London
15:15 GMT Pirès 16'
Bergkamp 24'
Cole Yellow card 62'		 Report Yellow card 30' Nolan
41' Pedersen		 Attendance: 38,053
Referee: Graham Barber
28 March 2004 Match 30 Arsenal 1 – 1 Manchester United Highbury, London
17:15 BST Henry 50'
Clichy Yellow card 70'		 Report Yellow card 25' Scholes
86' Saha		 Attendance: 38,184
Referee: Graham Poll
09 April 2004 Match 31 Arsenal 4 – 2 Liverpool Highbury, London
12:30 BST Cole Yellow card 29'
Henry 31', 50', 78'
Pirès 49'
Vieira Yellow card 65'
Lauren Yellow card 73'		 Report 5' Hyypiä
42' Owen
Yellow card 83' Diouf		 Attendance: 38,119
Referee: Alan Wiley
11 April 2004 Match 32 Newcastle United 0 – 0 Arsenal St James' Park, Newcastle
16:05 BST Report Yellow card 5' Vieira Attendance: 52,141
Referee: Paul Durkin
16 April 2004 Match 33 Arsenal 5 – 0 Leeds United Highbury, London
20:00 BST Pirès 6'
Henry 27', 33' (pen.), 50', 67'		 Report Attendance: 38,094
Referee: Dermot Gallagher
25 April 2004 Match 34 Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 2 Arsenal White Hart Lane, London
16:05 BST Redkanpp Yellow card 58' 62'
Keane 90' (pen.)		 Report 3' Vieira
35' Pirès
Yellow card 90' Lehmann		 Attendance: 36,097
Referee: Mark Halsey
01 May 2004 Match 35 Arsenal 0 – 0 Birmingham Highbury, London
12:30 BST Report Yellow card 16' Johnson
Yellow card 49' Savage		 Attendance: 38,061
Referee: Graham Poll
04 May 2004 Match 36 Portsmouth 1 – 1 Arsenal Fratton Park, Portsmouth
20:00 BST Yakubu 30' Report Yellow card 42' Campbell
50' Reyes
Yellow card 49' Parlour		 Attendance: 20,140
Referee: Mike Riley
09 May 2004 Match 37 Fulham 0 – 1 Arsenal Loftus Road, London
16:05 BST Davis Yellow card 89' Report 9' Reyes
Yellow card 52' Vieira
Yellow card 69' Henry
Yellow card 84' Parlour		 Attendance: 18,102
Referee: Mike Dean
15 May 2004 Match 38 Arsenal 2 – 1 Leicester City Highbury, London
15:00 BST Henry 47' (pen.)
Vieira 66'		 Report 26' Dickov
Yellow card 47' Sinclair		 Attendance: 38,419
Referee: Paul Durkin

UEFA Champions League

Round of 16

24 February 2004 First knockout round, 1st leg Celta Vigo Spain 2–3 Arsenal Balaídos, Vigo
20:45 CET Edu 23'
Sylvinho Yellow card 45'
José Ignacio 64'		 Report 18', 58' Yellow card 87' Edu
80' Pirès
Yellow card 88' Henry		 Attendance: 21,000
Referee: Anders Frisk
10 March 2004 First knockout round, 2nd leg Arsenal 2–0 Spain Celta Vigo Highbury, London
19:45 BST Henry 14', 34' Report Yellow card 36' Yellow-red card Cáceres Attendance: 35,402
Referee: Pierluigi Collina

Quarter-finals

24 March 2004 First knockout round, 1st leg Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal Stamford Bridge, London
19:45 BST Guðjohnsen 53'
Makélélé Yellow card 65'
Desailly Yellow card 81' Yellow-red card 84'		 Report 59' Pirès Attendance: 40,778
Referee: Manuel Mejuto González
6 April 2004 First knockout round, 2nd leg Arsenal 1–2 Chelsea Highbury, London
19:45 BST Lauren Yellow card 36'
Reyes 45'		 Report Yellow card 10' Gallas
Yellow card 15' Hasselbaink
51' Lampard
Yellow card 84' Cole
87' Bridge		 Attendance: 35,486
Referee: Markus Merk

FA Cup

04 January 2004 Third round Leeds United 1–4 Arsenal Elland Road, Leeds
16:05 GMT Viduka 8'
Bakke Yellow card 36'
Smith Yellow card 42'		 Report 26' Henry
33' Edu
Yellow card 84' Gilberto Silva
87' Pirès
90' Touré		 Attendance: 31,207
Referee: Rob Styles
24 January 2004 Fourth round Arsenal 4–1 Middlesbrough Highbury, London
15:00 GMT Bergkamp 19'
Ljungberg 28', 68'
Bentley 90'		 Report 23' Job
Yellow card 84' Zenden
Yellow card 84' Riggott
Yellow card 56' Parnaby
Yellow card 84' Yellow-red card 85' Boateng		 Attendance: 37,256
Referee: Mike Dean
15 February 2004 Fifth round Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Highbury, London
12:30 GMT Campbell Yellow card 7'
Gilberto Silva Yellow card 34'
Vieira Yellow card 45'
Reyes 56', 61'
 Report Yellow card 16' Melchiot
Yellow card 25' 40' Mutu
Yellow card 29' Makélélé
Yellow card 60' Hasselbaink		 Attendance: 37,256
Referee: Paul Durkin
7 March 2004 Quarter-finals Portsmouth 1–5 Arsenal Fratton Park, Portsmouth
18:00 GMT Sheringham 90' Report 25', 50' Henry
43', 57' Ljungberg
43' Touré		 Attendance: 20,137
Referee: Jeff Winter
3 April 2004 Semi-finals Arsenal 0–1 Manchester United Villa Park, Birmingham
12:00 GMT Pirès Yellow card 29'
Lehmann Yellow card 52'
Touré Yellow card 78'
Lauren Yellow card 80'		 Report 32' Yellow card 73' Scholes Attendance: 39,939
Referee: Graham Barber

Legacy

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira lifting the trophy at Highbury.

Arsenal's achievement of going unbeaten in the league earned them the praise of many involved in world football. French international Michel Platini applauded their approach to the game[44] while Roberto Carlos, regarded as one of Real Madrid's galácticos likened the team's style to "samba football".[44] Former Arsenal manager George Graham pinpointed the success to defensive improvements which rued them last season[45] and former striker Alan Smith felt the team were "certainly the best Highbury's ever seen".[46] Brian Clough who was at the helm during Forest's record breaking run of 42 league matches without defeat hailed Wenger's success as "nothing short of incredible"[47] while Preston North End, the last team to remain undefeated in the top-tier English division sent their congratulations, describing the feat as "fabulous".[48] Furthermore in recognition of their accomplishment, the Premier League awarded Arsenal a commemorative golden replica trophy to be presented before their first home game of the season.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Arsenal Football Club". PremierLeague.com. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  2. ^ "The Unbeaten Record". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  3. ^ "Arsenal's invincibles make history". CNN.com. 15 May 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  4. ^ a b Lipton, Martin (2002-09-21). "We Won't Lose One Match". The Mirror. It's not impossible. I know it will be difficult for us to go through the season unbeaten. But if we keep the right attitude it's possible we can do it. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  5. ^ Townsend, Nick (2004-05-16). "The men for all season". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-20. It is the biggest moment since I arrived. My dream has always been to play a whole season unbeaten. It's something unique.
  6. ^ Lawrence, Amy (2004-05-16). "Vintage Bergkamp uncorks Wenger's premier crew". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-20. Arsenal's achievement may not make them 'great' in everyone's opinion – those who define greatness 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.
  7. ^ "Arsenal seal Lehmann deal". BBC Sport. 2003-07-25. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  8. ^ Kempson, Russell (2003-08-13). "Vieira and Pires put end to speculation". London: The Times. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  9. ^ "Wenger targets unbeaten season". BBC Sport. 2002-09-21. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  10. ^ "Wenger targets fresh blood". BBC News. 2001-05-13. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  11. ^ Hughes, Ian (2001-08-13). "Gio could be key to Arsenal glory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  12. ^ "£10m Jeffers moves to Arsenal". BBC Sport. 2001-07-14. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  13. ^ "Wenger hails 'shift of power'". BBC Sport. 2002-05-09. Retrieved 2010-02-11. We wanted tonight to be a shift of power, and to take the trophy back to Highbury.
  14. ^ Moore, Glenn (17 May 2004). "Wenger's invincibles need European success". The Independent. London.
  15. ^ http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2004/05/17/story413143737.asp
  16. ^ "Russian businessman buys Chelsea". BBC Sport. 2003-07-02. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
  17. ^ Lewis, William (2003-07-06). "Chelsea bid £30m for Henry". London: The Times. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  18. ^ Campbell, Denis (2003-07-20). "Roman's army". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  19. ^ "Arsenal make history". BBC News. 15 May 2004.
  20. ^ "Arsenal given 'special trophy'". Daily Mail. London. 18 May 2004.
  21. ^ http://www.webcitation.org/5k5GYErBT
  22. ^ http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_2297593,00.html
  23. ^ http://www.webcitation.org/mainframe.php
  24. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20041027082515/http://www.thefa.com/Features/EnglishDomestic/Postings/2004/08/Arsenal_FairPlay.htm
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lehmann contract was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ "Arsenal sign Clichy". BBC Sport. 2003-08-04. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  27. ^ "Reyes passes Arsenal medical". BBC Sport. 2004-01-28. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  28. ^ "Arsenal sign Van Persie". BBC Sport. 2004-04-28. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  29. ^ "Arsenal sign Swiss defender". BBC Sport. 2002-12-20. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  30. ^ "Premier League: Djourou reveals his desire to get nasty and cement a first-team place". London: guardian.co.uk. 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  31. ^ "Soccerbase – Francesc Fàbregas, details and stats".
  32. ^ "Seaman to join Man City". BBC Sport. 2003-06-04. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  33. ^ "Luzhny fit for Wolves". BBC Sport. 2003-07-07. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  34. ^ "Soccerbase – Graham Barrett, details and stats".
  35. ^ "Lehmann seals Arsenal switch". uefa.com. 2003-07-26. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  36. ^ a b "Soccerbase – Moritz Volz, details and stats".
  37. ^ a b "Soccerbase – Jermaine Brown, details and stats".
  38. ^ "Soccerbase – Michal Papadopulos, details and stats".
  39. ^ "Soccerbase – Igors Stepanovs, details and stats".
  40. ^ "Pennant completes Leeds switch". BBC Sport. 2003-08-20. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  41. ^ "Jeffers joins Everton". BBC Sport. 2003-09-01. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  42. ^ "Soccerbase – Juan, details and stats".
  43. ^ a b "Soccerbase – Sebastian Svärd, details and stats".
  44. ^ a b Wilson, Bob (2004-04-27). "Wenger still troubled by Europe lapse". London: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
  45. ^ Collins, Roy (2004-03-21). "Arsenal's defence has the Graham seal of approval". London: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
  46. ^ "'Arsenal are quite simply the most fluid, devastating team that the British Isles has seen' – Alan Hansen". London: The Observer. 2004-05-16. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
  47. ^ "Cloughie salutes Wenger's men". London: guardian.co.uk. 2004-08-26. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  48. ^ "Preston applaud Arsenal". BBC Sport. 2004-05-17. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
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