The Invincibles (football)

In English football, "The Invincibles" has been used to refer to the Preston North End team of the 1880s managed by William Sudell,[1][2] and the Arsenal team of the 2003–04 season managed by Arsène Wenger.[3] Both teams earned the nickname after completing an English league campaign unbeaten, the Preston team also remaining unbeaten in cup competition during the same season.

Preston North End

Preston North End became football's first "Invincibles" when they won the inaugural Football League competition, completing the season unbeaten in both the league and FA Cup, which also made them the first team ever to achieve the "Double". Preston's league record was 18 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses, out of 22 games played, while their cup record was 5 wins out of 5 rounds played. Preston also won the Cup without conceding a goal.

Preston's unbeaten run stretched to one game the following season, their first league defeat came away to Aston Villa in the second game, losing 5–3.[4]

Of the seven teams to have completed the Double in England, Preston remain the only one to have done so unbeaten.

In 2008, Preston opened a new 5,000 seater stand at their Deepdale stadium, named the Invincibles Pavilion in honour of the unbeaten 1880s team that had also played their home matches at the same site.[5]

The team that won the 1889 FA Cup Final at the Kennington Oval, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0, was as follows:

GK Wales Robert Mills-Roberts
DF England Bob Howarth
DF England Bob Holmes
MF Scotland George Drummond
MF Scotland David Russell
MF Scotland Johnny Graham
FR Scotland Jack Gordon
FW Scotland Jimmy Ross
FW England John Goodall
FW England Fred Dewhurst (c)
FL Scotland Sam Thomson

Matches

Football League

MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
18 September 1888BurnleyH5–25,000Gordon, Ross (2), Dewhurst (2)
215 September 1888Wolverhampton WanderersA4–05,000Gordon, Ross, A. Goodall, J. Goodall
322 September 1888Bolton WanderersH3–15,000Gordon (2), Drummond
429 September 1888Derby CountyA3–26,000Robertson, Ross (2)
56 October 1888StokeH7–03,000Ross (4), Whittle, J. Goodall, Dewhurst
613 October 1888West Bromwich AlbionH3–010,000Dewhurst, Edwards (2)
720 October 1888AccringtonA0–06,000
827 October 1888Wolverhampton WanderersH5–26,000Gordon, Ross, J. Goodall (3)
93 November 1888Notts CountyA7–07,000Gordon (3), Ross, J. Goodall (3)
1010 November 1888Aston VillaH1–110,000J. Goodall
1112 November 1888StokeA3–04,500Ross, Thomson, Robertson
1217 November 1888AccringtonH2–07,000Gordon, Dewhurst
1324 November 1888Bolton WanderersA5–210,000Ross (2), Robertson, Dewhurst, J. Goodall
148 December 1888Derby CountyH5–04,000Inglis, J. Goodall (2), Dewhurst (2)
1515 December 1888BurnleyA2–28,000Ross, Thomson
1622 December 1888EvertonH3–08,000Dewhurst, J. Goodall (2)
1726 December 1888West Bromwich AlbionA5–05,150J. Goodall (2), Ross (2), Gordon
1829 December 1888Blackburn RoversH1–08,000J. Goodall
195 January 1889Notts CountyH4–14,000J. Goodall (2), Edwards, unknown
2012 January 1889Blackburn RoversA2–210,000Dewhurst, Thomson
2119 January 1889EvertonA2–015,000J. Goodall, Ross
229 February 1889Aston VillaA2–010,000Dewhurst (2)

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
12 February 1889 BootleA3–01,000J. Goodall, Gordon, Thomson
216 February 1889 Grimsby TownA2–08,000J. Goodall, Ross
32 March 1889 Birmingham St George'sH2–08,000Holmes, Thomson
Semi-final16 March 1889 West Bromwich AlbionN1–022,688Russell
Final30 March 1889 Wolverhampton WanderersN3–025,000Dewhurst, Thomson, Ross

Arsenal

In May 2002, Arsenal beat Manchester United to regain the Premier League and equal Preston's record of not losing an away match all season. In assessing the team's achievement, Tim Rich of The Independent wrote: "Invincibles, they called the last team to go through a season unbeaten away from home, although it is a word which belongs far more to the Arsenal side of 2002 than it ever could to the Preston team of 1888–89."[6] Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger wanted his team to push on for more honours and described the defeat of Manchester United as a "shift of power" in English football.[7] The team began the following season in good stead; a 4–1 win against Leeds United in September 2002 meant Arsenal broke the domestic record for scoring in consecutive games (47), and away league games without defeat (22).[8] Such was their effective start to the campaign, Wenger reiterated his belief that Arsenal could remain the whole season undefeated:[nb 1]

"It's not impossible as AC Milan once did it but I can't see why it's so shocking to say it. Do you think Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea don't dream that as well? They're exactly the same. They just don't say it because they're scared to look ridiculous, but nobody is ridiculous in this job as we know anything can happen."[10]

"Somebody threw me a T-shirt after the trophy was presented which read 'Comical Wenger says we can go the whole season unbeaten.' I was just a season too early!"

Arsène Wenger, May 2004[11]

Arsenal lost to Everton in October 2002 and failed to win their next three matches in all competitions, representing their worst run of form in 19 years.[12] By March 2003, Arsenal had established themselves as league leaders, but nearest challenger Manchester United overhauled them to win the title.[13] Arsenal finished the season with league wins against Southampton and Sunderland and was later consoled with success in the FA Cup – they beat the former team 1–0 in the 2003 final.

Wenger sought to strengthen his team with minor additions: goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, as well as a number of young players from academies abroad, namely Gaël Clichy and Phillipe Senderos. In comparison to their rivals Chelsea, bankrolled by new owner Roman Abramovich, and Manchester United, Arsenal's transfer activity was quiet. The financial constraints that came with the Ashburton Grove stadium project meant Wenger had little income to spend on new players.[14] Once funding was found amidst the season, the club added to its roster: José Antonio Reyes arrived in the winter transfer window and Robin van Persie soon followed.

In the 2003–04 season, Arsenal regained the Premier League without a single defeat. Over the 38 games played, their league record stood at 26 wins, 12 draws and 0 losses. The unbeaten run came close to ending six matches into the campaign against Manchester United. Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy missed a penalty in injury time; the match then ended 0–0. At the turn of the calendar year, Arsenal won nine league matches in a row to consolidate first position; they secured their status as champions with a draw against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in April 2004. Their form did not continue into the domestic cups; Arsenal exited the semi-final stage of the Football League Cup and the FA Cup to eventual winners Middlesbrough and Manchester United, respectively. In Europe, Arsenal reached the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Champions League where they were eliminated by London rivals Chelsea.[15]

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira presented with the trophy at Highbury on the final day of the season.

Continuing into the next season, a special gold version of the Premier League trophy was commissioned to commemorate Arsenal winning the title without a single defeat.[16] In their second Premier League game of 2004–05, Arsenal beat Middlesbrough to equal Nottingham Forest's record of 42 league matches unbeaten;[17] the feat was eclipsed with a win at home to Blackburn Rovers.[18] The run extended to six more matches for a total of 49 league games undefeated, before coming to an end with a controversial 2–0 defeat to Manchester United.[19]

Formation

The most used Arsenal players in the 2003–04 season, positioned in a 4–4–1–1 formation.

Compared with the club's double-winning side of 1998, only Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp remained as first team players throughout the unbeaten run; Martin Keown and Ray Parlour featured briefly. Defenders Lee Dixon and Tony Adams had retired from professional football in 2002 and goalkeeper David Seaman joined Manchester City a year later. Kolo Touré, bought as a right-back and defensive midfielder, was chosen to play in central defence alongside Sol Campbell after impressing during pre-season. Lauren who played as a midfielder for Real Mallorca was shifted as a right-back when he joined Arsenal. Wenger initially replaced left-back Nigel Winterburn with Sylvinho, but an injury to the defender allowed Ashley Cole to take his place as first pick by the 2000–01 season. In midfield Gilberto Silva partnered Vieira, and Fredrik Ljungberg and Robert Pirès each played either side of the wing. Thierry Henry, signed as Nicolas Anelka's replacement in 1999, was the team's focal point in attack; he was supported most often by Bergkamp.

Although the team were interpreted as one which organised themselves as 4–4–2, the formation with the ball was akin to 4–4–1–1. Wenger's tactics emphasised attacking football and relied on movement and interchanging, with full-backs joining in attacks. Journalist Michael Cox noted Arsenal's strengths lay on the left side of the pitch and added because the opposition focused on containing Cole, Pirès and Henry, it allowed Lauren and Ljungberg to find space and cross the ball. The team were also strong on the counter, exemplified in their away performances against Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.[20]

Matches

Premier League

MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
17 May 2003SouthamptonH6–138,052Pirès 8', 22', 46', Pennant 15', 18', 25'
211 May 2003SunderlandA4–040,188Henry 7', Ljungberg 39', 78', 88'
315 August 2003EvertonH2–138,014Henry 35' (pen.), Pirès 58'
424 August 2003MiddlesbroughA4–029,450Henry 5', Gilberto Silva 13', Wiltord 22', 60'
527 August 2003Aston VillaH2–038,010Campbell 57', Henry 90'
631 August 2003Manchester CityA2–146,436Wiltord 48', Ljungberg 72'
713 September 2003PortsmouthH1–138,052Henry 40' (pen.)
821 September 2003Manchester UnitedA0–067,639
926 September 2003Newcastle UnitedH3–238,112Henry 18', 80' (pen.), Gilberto Silva 67'
104 October 2003LiverpoolA2–144,374Hyypiä 31' (o.g.), Pirès 68'
1118 October 2003ChelseaH2–138,172Edu 5', Henry 75'
1226 October 2003Charlton AthleticA1–126,660Henry 39'
131 November 2003Leeds UnitedA4–136,491Henry 8', 33', Pirès 18', Gilberto Silva 50'
148 November 2003Tottenham HotspurH2–138,101Pirès 69', Ljungberg 79'
1522 November 2003Birmingham CityA3–029,588Ljungberg 4', Bergkamp 80', Pirès 88'
1630 November 2003FulhamH0–038,063
176 December 2003Leicester CityA1–126,660Gilberto Silva 60'
1814 December 2003Blackburn RoversH1–037,677Bergkamp 11'
1920 December 2003Bolton WanderersA1–128,003Pirès 57'
2026 December 2003Wolverhampton WanderersH3–038,003Craddock 13' (o.g.), Henry 20', 89'
2129 December 2003SouthamptonA1–032,151Pirès 13'
227 January 2004EvertonA1–138,726Kanu 29'
2310 January 2004MiddlesbroughH4–138,117Henry 38' (pen.), Queudrue 45' (o.g.), Pirès 57', Ljungberg 68'
2418 January 2004Aston VillaA2–039,380Henry 29', 53' (pen.)
251 February 2004Manchester CityH2–138,103Tarnat 7' (o.g.), Henry 83'
267 February 2004Wolverhampton WanderersA3–129,392Bergkamp 9', Henry 58', Touré 63'
2710 February 2004SouthamptonH2–038,007Henry 31', 90'
2821 February 2004ChelseaA2–141,847Vieira 15', Edu 21'
2928 February 2004Charlton AthleticH2–138,137Pirès 2', Henry 4'
3013 March 2004Blackburn RoversA2–028,627Henry 57', Pirès 87'
3120 March 2004Bolton WanderersH2–138,053Pirès 16', Bergkamp 24'
3228 March 2004Manchester UnitedH1–138,184Henry 50'
339 April 2004LiverpoolH4–238,119Henry 31', 50', 78', Pirès 49'
3411 April 2004Newcastle UnitedA0–052,141
3516 April 2004Leeds UnitedH5–038,094Pirès 6', Henry 27', 33' (pen.), 50', 67'
3625 April 2004Tottenham HotspurA2–236,097Vieira 3', Pirès 35'
371 May 2004Birmingham CityH0–038,061
384 May 2004PortsmouthA1–120,140Reyes 50'
399 May 2004FulhamA1–018,102Reyes 9'
4015 May 2004Leicester CityH2–138,419Henry 47' (pen.), Vieira 66'
4115 August 2004EvertonA4–135,521Bergkamp 23', Reyes 39', Ljungberg 54', Pirès 83'
4222 August 2004MiddlesbroughH5–337,415Henry 25', 90', Bergkamp 54', Reyes 65', Pirès 65'
4325 August 2004Blackburn RoversH3–037,496Henry 50', Gilberto Silva 58', Reyes 79'
4428 August 2004Norwich CityA4–123,944Reyes 22', Henry 36', Pirès 40', Bergkamp 90'
4511 September 2004FulhamA3–021,681Ljungberg 62', Knight 65' (o.g.), Reyes 71'
4618 September 2004Bolton WanderersH2–237,010Henry 31', Pirès 66'
4725 September 2004Manchester CityA1–047,015Cole 14'
482 October 2004Charlton AthleticH4–038,103Ljungberg 33', Henry 48', 69', Reyes 70'
4916 October 2004Aston VillaH3–138,137Pirès 19', 72', Henry 45'

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Before the season commenced, Wenger told reporters: "Nobody will finish above us in the league. It wouldn't surprise me if we were to go unbeaten for the whole of the season."[9]

References

  1. ↑ "The History of Preston North End". Preston North End official website.
  2. ↑ Taw, Thomas (2006). Football's Twelve Apostles: The Making of The League 1886–1889. p. 17. ISBN 1-905328-09-5.
  3. ↑ Hughes, Ian (2004-05-15). "Arsenal the Invincibles". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  4. ↑ "Preston North End match record: 1890". 11v11. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "Deepdale". Preston North End FC. 15 February 2012.
  6. ↑ Rich, Tim (9 May 2002). "Wenger's Invincibles claim grand prize in bare-knuckle title fight". The Independent. London. p. 28.
  7. ↑ "Wenger hails 'shift of power'". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 May 2002. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "Arsenal blow away Leeds". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 September 2002. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  9. ↑ Clavan, Anthony (18 August 2002). "We won't lose a game". Sunday Mirror. London. p. 80.
  10. ↑ "Arsenal can go unbeaten all season, says Wenger". Associated Press. CNNSI.com. 20 September 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  11. ↑ "Wenger has last laugh on victory parade". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  12. ↑ Brodkin, Jon (31 October 2002). "Arsenal qualify with little celebration". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  13. ↑ "How the title was won in photos". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 May 2003. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  14. ↑ Bose, Mihir (19 September 2003). "Ashburton Grove costing Arsenal". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Arsenal 1–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 April 2004. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "Arsenal v Middlesbrough". Getty Images. 22 August 2004. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  17. ↑ McCarra, Kevin (23 August 2004). "Gunners have all the answers to biggest test". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  18. ↑ McCarra, Kevin (26 August 2004). "Henry launches Arsenal to record mark". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "Man Utd 2–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 October 2004. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  20. ↑ Ridley, Ian (2 November 2003). "Henry torments poor Leeds". The Observer. London. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
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