SEVEN LONDON CLUBS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE – WITH THE RESULTS THAT HAVE CREATED ANOTHER “INVINCIBLE” RECORD FOR THE ARSENAL by Ken1945
It was once stated by Arsene Wenger that London Clubs had a real disadvantage because there were so many local derbies and, with The Arsenal having to play twelve during this season, one can only agree 100% with his thoughts.
So, as we come to the final few games of this great season, how did we do against our many noisy neighbours?
Well, we have created a record of “Invincibility” and here are the results to prove that claim, with our home games first, along with the goals we scored home and away appearing first:
Chelsea = 3-1 and 1-0
Palace = 4-1 and 2-0
Fulham = 2-1 and 3-0
Spuds = 3-1 and 2-0
WHU = 3-1 and 2-2
Brentfd = 1-1 and 3-0
A total of 29 goals for and 8 against
– 32 points from 36 available
– four 6 pointers
– two four pointers
– Unbeaten in twelve games.
Now I don’t believe any other London club has done this, having trolled back through PL history.
It has been suggested that form goes out of the window where derbies are concerned, but these results prove otherwise – we have dominated the London scene completely.
What a story and, while I don’t believe a gold trophy will be made, perhaps the keys to the city for MA and his players would be acceptable?
One thing is for sure, this will be the only coronation that is of interest to me and London is truly coloured red!!!!!!
ken1945
****Watch out for Dan’s full analysis of every London derby later today…***
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A happy Arteta enjoys great win over Chelsea – “We are still top with four games to go!”
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Do we get a trophy 🏆 for that🤔
Should do Mark, as it’s a first in the PL history regarding London Clubs.
Admin Pat. One no-pointer (Man City)
One two-pointer (Southampton)
God only knows about Newcastle. Sorry to sound unappreciative of positive news though.
That’s the problem, one glass is half full and the other half empty.
Perhaps it’s been forgotten that Southampton beat city, but as this is about the same seven LONDON clubs that grace the PL, I fail to understand the negativity.
Not being negative Ken1945, It’s just my warped sense of humour at play. I am grateful to the lads that they didn’t lose to Londoners, but it’s a bit hollow isn’t it ? Please don’t moderate me Admin Pat, I was only joshing.
Hollow? Why?
‘Cos it’s got a hole in it Ken.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Unprecedented- and should / could have been 100% record but for an incompetent/ suspect VAR process and a missed penalty to provide a 3-1 lead against West Ham.
Now if only we’d have same record against the pesky Lancashire clubs.
It was a great season and no other team surpass the Invincibles’ unbeaten record
Unfortunately, EPL standards have increased tremendously since Guardiola arrived, as indicated by Man City’s 100 points in season 2017/18 and Liverpool’s 99 points in season 2019/20
As a comparison, the Invincibles could only obtain 90 points in their best season. If we win all our remaining games, we will also get 90 points, which are still not enough by today’s standards
But city’s 100 points and liverpools 99 points still didn’t make them INVINCIBLE!!!!
Yes. The Invincibles’ unbeaten record is so special, but I’m afraid it will be broken by Man City next season
I’d bet it wouldn’t!
I agree GB, I don’t think this Man City could achieve that. It’s a feat that will be difficult to replicate no matter how much money they have to spend. Next season there will be a number of teams who will be very difficult to beat.
By the way I think Real will sort them out in the Semis. At least I hope so.
We almost did it in 1991 as well, lost only one game and conceded only 18 goals! 🫶
The opposite is true. City are dominating a poor league. They are a good side, no doubt, but the EPL is a league divided into two; the mega clubs with massive resources fueled by tv money and international fan bases, and the rest. To get into, or out of that exclusive ‘penthouse’ of mega clubs you need a wealthy owner that is both monied ‘and’ has a plan. To drop out, the owners only have money an no ideas. First Liverpool, then Arsenal, and now Chelsea have had that problem. Liverpool were bought out, Stan has clearly decided being aloof and just providing ‘enough’ funds wasn’t enough.
Unfortunately that gap has meant the biggest club in the penthouse can walk away with the title year on year. We saw it with Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea filled in the gaps, then City took over. Blackburn and Leicester were relief one offs.
As more money flows upwards in the game once City naturally fade as players age, and Pepe decides hes had enough, then another penthouse member will take over.
The EPL was a cynical creation, drawn up by ruthless self serving clubs who wanted the penthouse – at the expense of a competitive league. The last thing the EPL wants is the ‘little’ clubs actually winning things, or, even worse, taking points off the big ones. Add in that other product of cynicism the CL, and you can see why a small number of clubs have formed a super league in outline.
That doesn’t take away from City, Arsenal or whoever’s ability, but it does explain why leagues are now being won with silly points totals.
Marge do you know how awesome you are. You are at least a million miles ahead of the game. I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with anything you’ve ever said. Sorry if that sounds sycophantic, but you always get it. I’ll probably cry with disappointment the first time we ever disagree !
Great explanation. I just wanted to point out that if our current team played in Wenger’s prime era or if Guardiola didn’t come, we would’ve won EPL
No argument here.
Agreed. It’s this reasoning that make me believe Wenger was 100% sabotaged after the move to the Emirates because he was capable of winning the title without crazy spending.
Just managing UCL qualification every season with a right budget and sabotage from every corner makes him the greatest manager to have ever lived.
*tight budget
Sabotage ? Please explain.
gotanidea, although the Invincibles era will always be remembered fondly, they drew a hell of alot of games. As great as Thierry and Co were, they sometimes didn’t win games they were expected to (I know that is sport, but just saying). Prior to that season there were times Thierry and Co couldn’t score against the “park the bus” teams, thank God that Tony Adams and the defensive unit kept the goals out at the other end. Controversially, that’s why I would say Tony was the greatest Gunner of them all. He got stick sometimes but he was in four (?) league championship winning teams. Two with Gorgeous (The Stroller) George and two with Arsene. That is real longevity and accomplishment. We could do with his skills today.
Yes, I remember the Invincibles had many draws. I guess that was why they never won UCL
I also think Adams was one of the best CBs Arsenal ever had. Hopefully Saliba can follow his footsteps
As you know, we gave it a good go in that final against Barcelona but some dodgy decisions went against us and Barcelona benefitted as usual. What do you think would happen if The Invincibles played this team now ?
Lehmann courageously took a high risk and I believe the red card was justified
I think the Invincibles would play better if they played with Arteta’s tactics today, because most of them were more athletic than our current players
That last point is an interesting theory. Arteta’s tactics, mmm, I’ll have to think about it.
Ramsdale might be an improvement to the Invincibles team because he’s an amazing shot saver, though the rest of his game needs to improve.
Invincibles defence – far superior.
Invincibles midfield – far superior.
The ethereal Bergkamp – untouchable.
Henry far superior to what we have today also. Maybe Wiltord could be left out (I think he was still with us then)
Oh dear comparisons don’t look too favourable, but I guess you know that already. Our current team has a fair way to go, so summer signings must be immaculate, though it is a precarious business bringing in new blood and dependant on what is available.
I concur about Tony Adams. He is the only player to captain his team to league titles in 3 different decades.
Every team has lost games they were expected to win, but none have gone on to be undefeated.
Likewise, individual players have missed goals that they should have scored, but have not won the golden boot four times.
As for Tony Adams, no arguments there, but he wasn’t in the team that was undefeated, either in the league or against fellow London clubs – that’s why we should recognise what MA’s squad has achieved this season against said London clubs, including the mega spending chelsea outfit.
Ken you’re right, but I did say that sport is not always predictable, so I’m with you there. I also mentioned that “PRIOR to the Invincible season” Tony and the Unit kept the goals out while the forwards were shooting blanks, so I know he’d gone by then. Have you recovered from the long journey.
Um, Preston North End? The original invincibles? Before we say ‘well that was then’, well, the same argument was made about our unbeaten season. The EPL is not Division One, and it was cynically created so it wouldn’t be.
As such the 90-91 sides achievement in losing just one game, in finishing above Liverpool, and beating off future champions Utd and Leeds, and in a tough top flight, is all the more remarkable.
Another thing about 90-91, forgive me if I get this wrong, but, I vaguely remember that due to a fixture backlog, we had to play Chelsea very soon after a previous match (was it a couple of days between the two games?). Because of sheer fatigue we lost that game. Oh dear, my memory is going so I might have got this horribly wrong. Anyway what I am sure of is that we nearly were invincible that season and would have been if not for tight fixture scheduling. Marge you will know the answer.
You are correct sir. Tony played in four champions sides. 88-89, 90-91, 97-98, 01-02. The invincibles regular defence was Sol, Toure, Cole and Lauren, and thank God they were so good! Lehmann was never much of a keeper, but in that first season he was worse than terrible. The defence had to play out of their skins every week because any shot on target was going in otherwise. A classic example, during that season we thumped Pompey in the cup. They got one back though through that ‘cuddly’ chap, Teddy Sheringham. From a corner, he gets away from Toure, and heads it directly towards Lehmann – who stood as if nailed to the ground and watched it go in. Sol Campbell said that after Lehmanns antics at WHL where he cost us a 2-0 win, he had to be held back in the dressing room as he wanted to kick Lehmanns head in!
I thought George Wood was bad, but compared to Lehmann he was Gordon Banks at his peak
I’ve just let Ken know that I did say PRIOR to the Invincible year Tony etc etc.
By the way, ofcourse it’s always possible that we have disagreed about something without me even knowing it. I can be a bit dopey like that at times !
Don’t doubt it.🙂😉 Contrary to what certain people believe, or expect, we all see, hear and perceive things we observe and listen to differently. Thus our interpretations are often very different. As a police officer once said, ‘the problem with witness statements is that we are looking at the same thing, but from very different angles’. ‘This means none (from genuine witnesses, not dodgy corroborating ones) are ever the same’.
Some people see a massive triumph regardless, others see dismal opponents making a performance look better than it is. Some see a player struggling, others the player
is battling gamely. One sees a player as consistent, another as patchy.
People are not glass half full or glass half empty, it’s a question of perception. As such some people endlessly attacking others for not sharing the same perception is just pointless, boring and depressing.
Marge you are bordering on genius methinks.
I always shunned “social” media forums before. Thought them to be new-fangled nonesense for folk who want to be horrible to each other. After all I am a codger who likes to do certain things the old way.
However, aside from one character that I had an exchange with last week, I’ve enjoyed this recent, though somewhat late involvement on this site.
I am probably glass half empty as my mum used to moan at me about being so all those years ago.
You forgot to mention his last minute penalty save against Villerreal that saw us through to our first and only CL final.
We can all give examples of every single player making individual errors, but to say Lehman “was never much of a keeper” is wrong… in my opinion.
You don’t become a German international if you don’t perform on the pitch…. as Ramsdale has shown against all the London clubs this season.
That reply was about Lehman re. Marge’s post.
i love you Ken !!!
So one good save makes a good keeper? Meaning his mistakes, loss of temper, and poor decision making over his career at Arsenal are therefore balanced out? Yes he played for Germany. So what? I can think of several clowns that played in goal for their country.
It’s not just my opinion either. Or did you skip over Sols comment? He wasn’t the only Arsenal player that didnt rate Lehmann either. Nor, by a very long chalk, am I the only fan who despaired when he made yet another mistake. As I said, he did improve over time, but yes, he was terrible in that first season.
Just because someone plays for Arsenal, in a good side, does not mean they were ‘good’ or even average.
Jen was reasonable but I always got the feeling he was a bit in love with his own self. Sometimes his behaviour on the pitch was somewhat rum.
I think Ramsdale might be the best shot-saver we’ve ever had, it’s just a shame that he seems genuinely a bit thick and has lost concentration which has cost us. I wouldn’t exchange him for anyone else in the league because right now he’s not as good as he is going to get.
Marge are you in a bad mood.
He was after that first season. Perhaps it was fated to be that way? Had he been on better form during 2003-04 maybe the defence wouldn’t have been so determined? He still did daft things, which is why he didnt win more caps. One of the German coaches admitted he didn’t trust him not to have a costly outburst.
Ramsdale looks the best keeper we’ve had in a while. He’s done daft things, but that’s down to enthusiasm not bad temper. He just needs to be told to concentrate on his job, not other people’s. Once that happens he’ll be fine. Not sure why so many people knock him? But then, as I said myself, we all see different things…
The first thing I noticed about Aaron Ramsdale was how scruffy in appearance he is. Dishevelled is an understatement. A selfless goalie who doesn’t care about what he looks like and is willing to thrash about and do absolutely anything and everything to keep the ball out. Remember Neville Southall.
On the other hand, someone like Leno, for example, always seemed like a model on the catwalk, with his very neat hair and general appearance, not always willing or able to get down and dirty. God this is beginning to sound like complete drivel. I’ve had a marathon session today. I’m tired.
‘ worse then terrible ,’ ?
Do you play every League game without loseing a game if your worse then terrible ?
Read the post. I said his dire form was proof of how good our defence was. Again, as I said, when the defence did make the odd mistake it led to a goal. Because he was utterly hopeless. One of your fellow players don’t try to attack you because you’ve been playing well all season and you’ve had a one off nightmare. Its because they’re sick of having to bail you out.
Apologies that sounded very short. That wasnt my intention as your post are well thought out and balanced.
So it seems that one can bring up one mistake (pompey) but when one brings up a sensible counter argument, it’s not applicable?
We’re not talking about other keepers who played for their countries – we’re talking about Jens Lehman and no, I haven’t ignored Sol’s remark, as it is common knowledge for that one game.
Do you want me to quote other remarks that Sol said regarding Jens?
No matter how good a defence is, you cannot go unbeaten for a complete season, if you have a goalkeeper as you describe Lehman – just my opinion of course..
You didn’t give a counter argument you mentioned a penalty save made two seasons later when, as I said, Lehmann had improved.
Well, I just did a search and I can’t find any other direct comments from Sol about Lehmann so good luck with that.
As for you can’t go unbeaten with a poor keeper, of course you can. As my grandfather was fond of telling me, in Arsenals record breaking first title season, none of Arsenals three keepers were any good. Indeed Charlie Preedy ‘was’ Jens Lehmann 2003-04. If someone beat the defence, it was a goal. My grandfather was amazed that Preedy had kept a clean sheet in the 1930 cup final as he constantly made errors. This is of course in an era when every club above 12th was a threat, not just Utd and Liverpool with Chelsea on the fringes.
Arsenals invincibles defence is recognised as one of, if not the best in the modern era. Give them the credit where it’s due, not a keeper that flapped at every corner, dived in instalments, and dropped daisy cutters as if they were thunderbolt.
Again, just my opinion mind.
You didn’t give a counter argument you mentioned a penalty save made two seasons later when, as I said, Lehmann had improved.
Well, I just did a search and I can’t find any other direct comments from Sol about Lehmann so good luck with that.
As for you can’t go unbeaten with a poor keeper, of course you can. As my grandfather was fond of telling me, in Arsenals record breaking first title season, none of Arsenals three keepers were any good. Indeed Charlie Preedy ‘was’ Jens Lehmann 2003-04. If someone beat the defence, it was a goal. My grandfather was amazed that Preedy had kept a clean sheet in the 1930 cup final as he constantly made errors. This is of course in an era when every club above 12th was a threat, not just Utd and Liverpool with Chelsea on the fringes.
Arsenals invincibles defence is recognised as one of, if not the best in the modern era. Give them the credit where it’s due, not a keeper that flapped at every corner, dived in instalments, and dropped daisy cutters as if they were thunderbolt.
Again, just an opinion, mind.
I know I’ve just told you I’m tired, but your Gran’s story has woken me up and made me laugh. I can just hear him now, it’s typical old school humour. Great. I never knew any of my grand parents but your grandad sounds as dismissive as my dad could be.
I remember Lehman playing blinders for us while he was our keeper.
We’ve had some ropey keepers over the years and Lehman was not one of them… just my opinion of course.
The same Sol Campbell who had a sissy fit at halftime and left the ground, Lehmann was a great keeper in my opinion, pulled off remarkable saves including the penalty save that got us to the CL Final. The ref at the CL Final said with hindsight he wished he had given the goal and a yellow card for Lehmann. with our defence and keeper, we didn’t concede a goal til the final 995 mins, the best team lost, and if it had been a knock out like the old days we would have been champions, but history won’t show that, I had a great time following Arsenal all throughout that campaign, including beating RM at home to become the first English team to do so, and the experience of following Arsenal in Europe was costly but worth it.
I agree. The PL is clearly a much stronger league than during the invincibles era. However, we also now have a few super-clubs around Europe with MC now looking like the ultimate expression of this ambition of these clubs.
The kind of sustained brilliance required to win the league is remarkable and clearly achievable by only a handful of clubs.
What I find impressive is the clean sheets away from home from those games. We look better on paper when away and are equal in wins with the home form. That is impressive and one of the reasons we lead for so long
Sound reasoning escapepod303 and so refreshing to read from someone who takes the positive road!!
You are correct sir. Tony played in four champions sides. 88-89, 90-91, 97-98, 01-02. The invincibles regular defence was Sol, Toure, Cole and Lauren, and thank God they were so good! Lehmann was never much of a keeper, but in that first season he was worse than terrible. The defence had to play out of their skins every week because any shot on target was going in otherwise. A classic example, during that season we thumped Pompey in the cup. They got one back though through that ‘cuddly’ chap, Teddy Sheringham. From a corner, he gets away from Toure, and heads it directly towards Lehmann – who stood as if nailed to the ground and watched it go in. Sol Campbell said that after Lehmanns antics at WHL where he cost us a 2-0 win, he had to be held back in the dressing room as he wanted to kick Lehmanns head in!
I thought George Wood was bad, but compared to Lehmann he was Gordon Banks at his peak…
Being unbeaten in London Derbies is an astonishing record imo. Such a shame that we conceded away against WHU, as if we hadn’t, we would’ve set a new record of being the first London club not to concede in an all away Derby games in one season.
Oh no I’ve been very thick. I’ve only just got the joke. At first I thought you were German !!!
I am part German.
he he he Herr Drier that caps a wonderfully entertaining couple of days for me. I’ve had the giggles all day on this site for various reasons, but the irony of this exchange is priceless. Thanks.
No problems EvGunner. I do have to laugh when people on social media go on about our royal family being German, as I’m more German than any of them 😂
You should therefore be on their payroll as well !
As an aside -I’m all for prostate cancer awareness, but all these constant diagrams on this site really do my head in. Alright most of us guys still have one but the messages won’t ever end. Everytime I see the diagram mine starts to hurt !!
If you’re not joking and it really is hurting, then take it from me, getting it checked out. The sooner the better.
I shouldn’t joke about such things, but I was joking. My nephew has stage 2 prostate cancer but they’ve treated in time. He didn’t take my advice a couple of years ago and he let the irritation continue, even after I told him to get it checked. Anyway sorry to bring up such a serious topic, I’m bound to be barred soon at this rate.
9 years ago I was diagnosed with stage 3. Scared the 💩out of me at the time, but the NHS were fantastic.
Sorry HD, only just seen this. I hope everything is good with you now. I was only 31 when I got a bout of prostatitis, but fortunately it was no more than that. Was on drugs for a while. I’ve had umpteen PSA tests in recent times. If I detect any irritation, I’m on the case. I wish you all the very best.
Thanks EvGunner. I had a scare a couple of years ago when my PSA jumped quite alarmingly, but I went back on the 12 weekly injections and it dropped right back down.
Absolutely HD – just think that we went to all those grounds and lost not one game.
There is no other area in the country where so many professional derbies are played in ANY league, let alone the PL.
I’m amazed that some fans do not recognise this, but each to their own.
I very much doubt it will happen again in my lifetime Ken, but 🤞it does.
OT.
I’ve often wondered if we would have been unbeaten in the 90/91 season if Tony Adams had have been sent down. Also in the game that we did lose, I found it strange that George Graham played Hillier at CB when Bould went off injured, instead of moving Micheal Thomas back there, considering MT had been a defender during his youth and reserve days.
Herr Drier, have you read the long list of posts above ? The discussion went on for ages earlier today. Good though.
You didn’t give a counter argument you mentioned a penalty save made two seasons later when, as I said, Lehmann had improved.
Well, I just did a search and I can’t find any other direct comments from Sol about Lehmann so good luck with that.
As for you can’t go unbeaten with a poor keeper, of course you can. As my grandfather was fond of telling me, in Arsenals record breaking first title season, none of Arsenals three keepers were any good. Indeed Charlie Preedy ‘was’ Jens Lehmann 2003-04. If someone beat the defence, it was a goal. My grandfather was amazed that Preedy had kept a clean sheet in the 1930 cup final as he constantly made errors. This is of course in an era when every club above 12th was a threat, not just Utd and Liverpool with Chelsea on the fringes.
Arsenals invincibles defence is recognised as one of, if not the best in the modern era. Give them the credit where it’s due, not a keeper that flapped at every corner, dived in instalments, and dropped daisy cutters as if they were thunderbolt.
Again, just my opinion mind.
I’m sure your father would have said that any team builds from the back and that’s exactly how the Invincibles were assembled.
That’s my counter argument if you want one and I never said that Jens wasn’t prone to mistakes – just as the likes of David Seaman were.
Quotes to follow regarding what players and managers thought of Lehman.
can’t wait for that Ken , I’m all agog.
MARGE modern football and how teams play is so COMPLETELY different from the 1930 era that meaningful comparisons are worthless, I suggest
I cannot envisage a single deep thinking Gooner without a personal agenda ageeing with your view of LEHMANN.
I completely disagree with your opinion on 2003-4 and I do so markedly.
oooh look the cameras are in the Brighton dressing room at half time, that’s a bit kinky.
Cannot find the quote that says Sol wanted to kick Jen’s head in Marge, can you direct me to it for reference please?