Arsenal remains the only club in Premier League history to have completed a season unbeaten, having achieved this remarkable feat during the 2003 to 2004 campaign. Referred to as the “Invincibles,” that side set a benchmark that no team has yet managed to equal, despite several coming close in the years since.
One of the most notable challengers was the Liverpool team from the 2019 to 2020 season. Their performances were so dominant that many believed they could go the distance and match Arsenal’s undefeated run. However, they eventually fell short, and the Gunner’s unique record continues to stand.
The Challenge of Going Unbeaten
Arsenal supporters often argue that no team will ever replicate what was accomplished 21 years ago, and so far, that belief has not been proven wrong. As football continues to evolve, the league has become more competitive and unpredictable. Squad rotation, fixture congestion and tactical innovation all add to the difficulty of maintaining an unbeaten streak over an entire season.
In recent campaigns, several clubs have shown the quality and consistency needed to pose a genuine threat to the Invincibles’ legacy, but each has faltered before the finish line. Going through a league season without a single defeat remains an elusive achievement, requiring not only talent but also mental resilience, depth, and an element of fortune.
Sol Campbell on the Next Potential Invincibles
Sol Campbell, a key figure in Arsenal’s historic 2003 to 2004 squad, was recently asked to share his thoughts on whether any current team could replicate that success. As cited by Goal, he responded, “Never say never. It’s very, very hard, but I think it’s doable. If you look at the talent in that Liverpool squad now, they’d be the most likely for me to go on to be the next Invincibles.”
Until that happens, Arsenal fans will continue to cherish the privilege of owning one of the Premier League’s most iconic records. For now, and perhaps for many more years, it remains a singular triumph in English football history.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Arsenal did won 14 of their 19 away games in that faithful season, Only Pep Guarrdiola 100 points Citizens in 2017-18 (16 away wins ) have managed more..
It was in late September 2002 , I remembered it just like it was yesterday when the legendary Frenchman stated ‘ It’s not impossible to go through the season unbeaten, and I can’t see why it’s shocking to say that’, he was ridicule and miss quoted by sections of the press.
One thing we know Arsenal is very capable of going on a daring winning run, but going a next season unbeaten will be no easy feat, even with our new goal God.
I’m glad to read that you’re in favour of the “goal God” we have now. Although I seem to recall that you didn’t think a striker was necessary not that long ago.
Bertie you have the memory of an elephant, so right .
But having said that and Arsenal seen it fit to get a striker, my full support is firmly behind the player
I remembered Man City signing a goal God that hit the road running but the team was not winning, I sincerely hope that won’t be the case here.
All we can do is hope for the best for him. I think he’ll be a success, but the “proof of the pudding” etc.
Forget it.
The “invincible” feat is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence; it’s not happening again any time soon.
Certainly not this season. It’s going to be wild, with four top teams with world class strength battling it out. Plus sad, lonely, desperate attempts to be at least good by Man U and Tottenham.
May need to keep an eye on MU in the league this season. They don’t have European football to contend with and have made some sound changes.
CorporateMan,
Arsenal very nearly did it under George Graham, the only team to beat them that season was Chelsea.😣
Derek, one thing that I always wondered about in that defeat to Chelsea, was when Bould went off injured, GG put Hillier on at CB. Michael Thomas was a defender that GG had moved into midfield, so to me it would’ve have been natural to move MT back to CB and Hillier into midfield.
Herr Drier,
Your memory into the details are better than mine. But like you I would have thought moving Thomas back and Hillier into Midfield would have been the way to go. 👍
That’s true, but although that defeat was in the February of the 1990/91 season, I don’t recall that there was really much talk of an undefeated season being a possibility back then. It’s a long time ago though so I could be wrong!
The point is though that it just takes one slip, one defeat (unlucky, whatever) to undo the previous work of six or seven months as in this case.
I think the odds remain stacked against an undefeated season. For example, still only one in modern league history against how many “Doubles” now (which was once considered to be the other football “Everest”)? I’m not saying it’s impossible, but…
Another unbeaten season isn’t impossible but it’s pretty unlikely a team will do it again I would have thought.
I saw most of Arsenal’s unbeaten season from the stands and they sailed pretty close to the wind on several occasions. Certainly, some of the 12 draws they had over the season could well have ended with no points. (It’s interesting to compare the draws then with Arsenal last season when they actually drew even more games – 14 in all, but with a number of losses of course). One slip or mistake and the unbeaten “grail” has gone.
Bertie,
The home game against Portsmouth springs to mind. A Mr Pires dive at 1-0 down saved us that day. Naughty boy Robert. 🤦♂️🤷♂️
Derek,
Well remembered. I’m sure Pires was suitably chastised by Wenger afterwards. Naughty boy.
Agree about the possibility of a team having an unbeaten season. We actually had less than half as many loses last season as any club other than LP.
But a massive 14 draws – the second highest after Everton last season. That’s a staggering 37% of the league games played.
It was those draws that almost certainly did for Arsenal, and it was in some of those games at least where a “proper” striker (like Gyokeres now, hopefully) may have got all the three points for us instead of one.
But? No argument about needing less draws and more wins. Or an Eze.
Bruised Banana,
All those draws, I just hope this season those dominoes fall into place. OOPS! now you’ve got me at it.😂🤣👍
Doing an invincible will not be easy for any team cos of the present level of competition in the EPL. . However, if there is any club that can repeat that feat it should be Arsenal again. With our rugged defense and midfield, and now a prolific Scorer, It will almost be impossible to defeat us. Liverpool is next, but their middle and attack are their most potent weapons. Their defense can be got at. Anyway, let’s wait and see.