It’s obvious that Arsenal is a polarizing club—people either love them or hate them. But that’s part of what has made them such a legendary club. At the very least, it proves they have an undeniable history, having formed in 1886 by a group of 15 munitions workers on several sixpences and three shillings. That’s an unbelievable thought, considering the internationally renowned reputation the Gunners have today.
And considering their incredible successes over their more than century-long existence, as well as their recent return to the Champions League, it’s only natural for fans to wonder whether Arsenal is better today or were better back then. With so many considerations to weigh, it’s a lot like explaining how to bet on soccer matches (or even casinos.com explaining live blackjack)—strategic and full of nuanced decisions. Arsenal is no stranger to glory, so could they be looking at a return to their “invincible” status?
Arsenal glory days
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The Gunners have experienced a few bouts of success, including way back in the 1930s with their five league title wins and two FA Cup wins. But they’ve also gone through periods of instability— most recently after Arsène Wenger’s leave in 2018—just like any other club. Yet whether we’re talking about their pre-war or post-war failures or the turbulence after Wenger’s departure, it all seems to be overshadowed by the days of “The Invincibles.”
Arsenal’s Invincibles still hold the English record for the longest unbeaten league run at 49 games. The year before (2002–2003) was already an unbelievable feat, as they broke the record for away games without defeat (22) and for scoring in consecutive games (47). While Wenger made a few changes, Arsenal didn’t spend very much in the transfer market, even though their rivals spent quite the opposite. That year, they still ended up winning the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield and finished 2nd in the Premier League.
But it was the 2003–2004 season that was truly remarkable for the club, as they ended their 12th season in the Premier League as the champions without losing a single game. With a record of 26 wins and 12 draws, it effectively solidified them as one of the greatest football teams ever. It was a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since 1889, and under Wenger’s management, they had already built up that psychological edge and tactical understanding. Wenger, as we all know, takes his players seriously. Under his watch, he completely transformed the cafeteria menu and implemented a comprehensive nutrition plan complete with creatine, vitamin injections, and supplements. Whether it was a case of correlation or causality, it worked. The team was also made up of first-rate players, including the league’s goalscorer of the year, Thierry Henry, captain Patrick Vieira, and the unshakable defensive partnership of Sol Campbell and Kolo Touré.
The New Arsenal
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Today, Wenger’s gone, but there are many arguments as to why the new Arsenal could beat early 2000s Arsenal at their own game. Many often cite the fact that sports have evolved and leagues have just gotten better overall. But this could just be because of all the training and tracking technology, tactical development, and physiological science available today. Is there really a current defender who could stop Henry? And who really initiated those changes in football in the past few decades? Well, one of those was The Invincibles team.
But enough about them—we’re now in the Arteta era. In his first season as head coach, they performed average. After he was named manager the following year, the situation didn’t get any better, finishing in eighth place again and not qualifying for a European competition for the first time in over 25 years. Arteta revamped the team and assembled the youngest squad in the Premier League, which helped them finish in fifth place and qualify for the UEFA Europa League. Since then, Arsenal’s trajectory has started looking up. They finished second to Manchester City in the 2022–2023 and the 2023–2024 seasons, so could that mean a victory in the 2024–2025 bout?
After all, the team is absolutely teeming with young talent. Think Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, who keep the team competitive and maintain its energy in such an increasingly cutthroat footballing world. Arsenal also have a much more diverse international team, with talent sourced from all corners of the globe. And with Arteta’s influence from Pep Guardiola, he infuses those possession-based tactics that keep them on the ball—literally. While it took some time for Arsenal to rebuild, it’s clear that at the moment they belong at the top of the Premier League table. They’re able to push and make smart decisions on and off the pitch, including when it comes to strategic recruitment.
What do the statistics say?
If we compare the cold, hard data from Arsenal’s Invincibles days to their 2023–2024 Premier League season 20 years later, it might not be a great representation or capture the nuances of the overall tactics or team dynamics. However, it could provide an idea.
In their Invincibles season, they had 26 wins, 12 draws, and 0 losses in 38 games. In the 2023–2024 season, their record was 28-5-5, which is an exceptional accomplishment. They scored 73 goals and racked up 90 points in the Invincibles season yet scored 91 goals in 2023–2024—1 more goal than they had points back then. These statistics are an interesting look into how Arsenal has potentially become stronger, even in comparison to their so-called glory days.
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