According to the club, we have six Invincibles and seven current midfielders to choose from for my suggested 4-2-4 lineup.
I’m going to list them all, just to jog our memories as to the talent we had/have in this area, with my opinion on their marks out of ten :
Vieira (10), Pires (8.5,) Ljunberg (8), Edu (7), Gilberto (9), Parlour (8,) Odegaard (8), Eze (8), Norgaard (7), Nwaneri (7,) Merino (8,) Zubimendi (8.6), Rice (10)
It’s difficult to mark some of Mikel’s latest signings, due to playing time, but I’ve based them on what I’ve seen to date.
Two elite midfielders to be proud of
I’m sure you will not be surprised to see that I have gone for :
Patrick Vieira – one of the most complete midfielders I’ve ever had the privilege to watch. His seemingly telescopic legs, tireless energy, refusal to give up, and determination to give as good as he got marked him out as the driving force of the Invincibles.
I would also make him my captain.
Declan Rice – there are so many attributes that I see in Declan that I mentioned in Patrick.
He’s not of the same build, but he has the tenacity to never give up. His dead-ball deliveries are second to none, and he is the driving force behind Mikel’s squad.
We certainly got him half price!!
Quality back-ups worthy of debate
Of course, we need to have two back-ups, and here I go for Gilberto and Zubimendi.
Gilberto – the unsung hero of Arsene’s signings, who just got on with the job, with no frills, just a perfect professional footballer.
Zubimendi – I think I might get some pushback here, but I watch the way he always wants the ball, makes himself available and rarely makes a bad pass. I see him as a future Arsenal legend in this position.
To be honest, the midfielders these two sets of players represent are oozing talent, and both Arsene and Mikel have to be applauded for signing them.
So, Lehman, Timber, Campbell, Gabriel, Cole, Vieira (captain), Rice in a 4-2-4 formation…. how am I doing?!
ken 1945
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I never got to watch the Invincibles. My Arsenal journey began in the Fabregas era c 2008 . But those are brilliant choices. If the current crop of players go on to achieve big things, they will also cement their legendary status.
My combined team would be Lehman, Timber, Cole, Vieira, Campbell, Saliba, Pires, Rice, Henry, Bergkamp, Saka If allowed the luxury of nine subs Raya, Lauren, Gabriel, Calafiori, Toure, Gilberto Ljungberg, Wiltotd, Kanu If Keown had been younger during the invincible season he would be on subs bench instead of Toure
Vieira and Gilberto. Rice is good, Gilberto was great. I don’t see any current Arsenal player who is better than any member of that elite squad.
Having watched the Invincibles under the tulage of the legendary Frenchman, Gilberto and Vieira no doubt were the best throughout those days and justified for what they had achieved and history indeed has been kind to them.
But Declan Rice and Thomas Partey has to be considered one of Arsenal best modern pairings due to their complimentary skill sets, individual world class abilities, and the tactical balance they provide when playing together..
So while previous Arsenal teams have had great midfielders , such as the legendary Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit and Giberto the combination of Rice and Partey modern skill sets, tactical intelligence, physical dominance makes a compelling case for them being the best midfielder pairing in the club modern history, The main caveat to their legacy was keeping the Ghanaian fit has he developed fitness issues.
Vieria , Gilberto .. for me
Rice is a good player but vastly overrated by some quarters .
Not sure why you have listed wingers in your Cm group if you are going for a 4-2-4 ,surely the likes of Pires (8.5 😲) ljunberg should be on you forward list .
I went with the players as they were listed in the book DK.
Like you, I thought both of your examples were forwards and it does give me a problem when I name the four attackers.
I saw your formation by the way and I went for 4-2-4 because of the strength of Cole and Timber down each wing.
Bergkamp.
Vieira. Rice.
Henry.
Pires. Bergkamp. Saka.
Vieira. Rice.
Cole. Gabriel. Campbell. Timber.
Lehmann.
Having read the article again, I would have to pair Partey and Vieira for a combined midfield from both era.
I thought about Partey with Vieira too because I loved his playing style so much, but I took him out because he was injury prone with us and the best and first skill of a footballer is availability.
Also, the choice is between the Invincible squad and CURRENT players.
Let Arteta create an invincible season, then we can can discuss players, in 15 games we lost twice, in 38 game they lost none. Till then, that team will remain legends and cannot be compared to the current team.
But if you are comparing teams from 2003/4 and 2025/6 teams, then my combined line up would be
Lehman , Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Pat, Gilberto, Lumberg, Pires, Bergkemp, Henry
Subs – Raya, Timber, Martin, Gabriel, Calaufori, Ray, Rice, Edu, Wiltord, Saka, Kanu
Manager – Arsene Wenger.
I had the privilege of watching the Invincibles.
Declan Rice is very brilliant for sure
However, Vieira and Gilberto with Rice on the bench.
Thomas Partey …… might fall out on consistency for me.
Rice edges Gilberto for me also. Gilberto’s best season for us ironically was after the invincible season 2006-07, I was privileged enough to see a couple of his 10 goals. But Rice had similar impact last season including unforgettably against Real. Gilberto gets the nod paired with Vieira simply because Vieira and Rice wouldn’t suit playing together. But if we are going man for man on talent Rice makes the seconds midfield spot for me on paper ability, attitude and leadership. He’s got the invincible traits..
Lehman
Lauren/Timber Toure Campbell Cole
Viera Gilberto
Bergkamp
Ljunberg Pires
Henry
Subs: Raya, (Lauren/Timber), Gabriel, Saliba, Parlour, Rice, Kanu, Wiltord, Saka, Eze, Calafiori.
My only difference to TSRS, is Eze. If played in the right position, his technical ability would have fitted perfectly into an Arsene Wenger managed team.
Another good piece, Ken1945, thank you for you’re time.
Derek 👍
Good article and good choice of front cover image Ken.
Boy what I would give to see Mr Invincible back in our side today.
The sight of him in our midfield oozed dominance and confidence. They really do not make them like Patrick Vieria today what a player.
Patrick Viera and Gilberto Silva for me.Declan Rice is only effective for 65 to 70mins&tires out for the rest of the game and i wonder how/why Arteta&his coaching crew has always failed to take notice&do the needful by subbing him off.
OT But there’s a programme called “Overlap” with Wrighty, G. Neville, Keano and Carragher as pundits.
They interview past legends of the game and both Patrick and Thierry feature in separate episodes.
They are around an hour long and for any Gooner, a must to watch.
Absolutely Brilliant!!
Yeah great watch
Really interesting what Henry said about Ashley Cole Dan and, likewise Patrick’s comment on referees and manure.
Thank you Ken fo your hypothetical article. I will be radical here and say that Gabriel would displace either Campbell or Toure. Timber in place of Lauren. I would still choose Cole inspite of his traitorous departure. Obviously, Vieira and Gilberto in midfield. On the forwards, I don’t see any of our current crop of players displacing Bergkamp, Pires, Kanu, Witord or Thierry Henry. However, should this team win EPL and Champions league, I might revise my list.
David, the four articles (two of which have been printed) are meant as comparisons and a bit of light hearted fun for JA members.
Glad to see your participating and my choices for the front four will, hopefully, be out in the next few days.
Can I suggest you try and see the “Overlap” interviews?
Henry has quite a bit to say about Ashley Cole and it might just change your opinion!!
Raya timber Campbell Saliba Cole Rice Viera Saka Pires Bergkamp Henry. The only players from my time watching Arsenal that could potentially get in this line up are Fabregas, Sanchez and Gabriel.