Arsenal's current side are on the verge of winning their first Premier League title since the 2003-04 season in which Arsene Wenger's team famously went unbeaten
Patrick Vieira speaks
Patrick Vieira was a member of the Invincibles(Image: Sky Sports)
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Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has named the five players from present day that would make into into their famous Invincibles team of 2004. The Gunners' current side are closing in on their first Premier League title since Vieira and Co.'s famous triumph more than two decades ago, and it's sparked debate over a combined XI.
Midfield powerhouse Vieira captained Arsenal during the 2003-04 season, as they went the entire league campaign unbeaten under Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman appeared on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football to cover Arsenal's crucial 1-0 win at home to Burnley and post-match, he was asked to select an XI made up of the two different squads.
"I think this is a good debate," Vieira began. "If they manage to win the league and the Champions League, you will have to have it and compare the two generations. It will be interesting to see the best XI of these two teams."
In goal, Vieira snubbed Jens Lehmann and went for current No.1 David Raya, who could break David Seaman's record for the most clean sheets in a Premier League season for Arsenal (19) when they face Crystal Palace on Sunday. At right-back, Jurrien Timber got the nod over Lauren.
On the left-hand side of defence, Ashley Cole kept his place in a position in which Mikel Arteta has used multiple players such as Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori. At centre-back, Sol Campbell and Gabriel Magalhaes won out, as Vieira opted against former team-mate Kolo Toure and William Saliba.
"Ooo, I was expecting Saliba," Jamie Carragher responded after Vieira went with Gabriel. Then in midfield, the ex-Arsenal skipper would play himself alongside Declan Rice rather than Gilberto Silva. "I (would) keep myself as captain as well," Vieira added.
On the right flank, Bukayo Saka was chosen over Freddie Ljungberg while Robert Pires kept his place on the left. And up front, the 2004 partnership of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry came out on top.
Patrick Vieira chose his combined XI
Patrick Vieira chose his combined XI
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"It is always difficult to compare generations of players," Vieira admitted. "Arteta did a really good job, taking the team a couple of years ago and seeing where the team is today.
"He (Arteta) spent a lot of money. Regarding Arsene, he bought myself, Thierry, really good deals. For that I will say Arsene will be the manager."
Although the Invicibles didn't lift any other trophies that season, this Arsenal side can also still win the Champions League. The Gunners will face Paris Saint-Germain in next Saturday's final and Vieira believes that such an achievement would see Arteta's men go down as legends - but not the best Arsenal team ever.
LONDON, ENGLAND - May 15: Arsenal players celebrate with Premiership trophy after becoming the 2003-2004 Premier League champions after winning the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester at Highbury on May 15, 2004 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Arsenal won the title after going unbeaten(Image: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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"If they manage to win both competitions it will be something that is unbelievable for the football club. This group of players will be remembered as one of the greatest Arsenal teams. To be the best, I'm not 100 per cent convinced on that."
Carragher offered his verdict by saying: "It's the best achievement in Arsenal's history, no doubt, but it's not a better team. The same way that Manchester United's team in 1999 achieved the greatest achievement (the Treble) but they're not actually better than the team in 2008 who won the league and European Cup but not the FA Cup."
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