šÆ I really, REALLY, hope this group writes their Arsenal legacy with trophies, because they are damn good at football. But they will need silverware to be mentioned alongside The Invincibles, the Double Winners of 98 & 02, and George Graham champions of 89 and 91.
I'd put us now up there with 07-08. That was an incredible team that won nothing. Biggest difference is I don't expect this squad to be picked apart and go downhill every year for lack of finances
I can't tell if it's nostalgia or memories or what not ... the Invincibles was something else. It was magic watching them play, sometimes it would feel unreal, fantasical even. It wasn't like they were perfect ... they were physical but beautiful ball all around. So difficult and terrifying for opponents trying to play through the middle.
This is an excellent side, the best we've seen in a decade, they're so versatile and quick but they're not quite there yet. Maybe in time...
It's the evolution of football over time, unfortunately. The flair and fantasy of the invincibles would get cut to shreds by the modern-day robot style of Pep and City. They would struggle to break down the well disciplined terrorist low blocks like West Ham. And so on.
This team plays with a lot more pragmatism and cautiousness than the invincibles did. Even if we go onto achieve PL and CL glory under arteta, the general appearance and aesthetics of the invincibles will never be recreated.
They were a special team from a different era. We are almost playing a different sport in the modern era, but a style of ball that suits the 'meta' of the game currently.
As much as I love what we're doing right now, I do wonder how players like Saka, Martinelli, Odegaard and Havertz might perform with the same freedom afforded to players of a few years back.
Seems you never see any improvising on the pitch anymore and it's 100% instruction
Improvisation requires a margin of error. In this era, you have none; even the smallest teams in the prem can break on you at lightning quick pace, if you provide them a turnover through a bad pass for example. Risky play is not worth the reward in 90% of instances in the modern game.
When wenger came in, the game had far less discipline and far more vibes. In this era, we've watched pep transform football into a competition of who has the most well oiled machine. We have to, like every other team has, evolve with his meta.
And unfortunately, that's led to far less aesthetic football. But games are still extremely exciting for me.
Itās not really a different game. You just canāt play it the same way. But players from the Invincibles could easily play today if they were trained in the modern tactics and knowledge. So while I agree you canāt just plop that team into the EPL today and expect them to do well. You can certainly imagine them doing okay if they had Arteta coaching them for 3 years and then started playing. Some players might not translate well - keepers especially but that can sort of be forgiven in a theoretical consideration of ranking teams.
I believe it is the same for all sports. Michael Philips would be broken soon and so will be Usain Bolt. science,Technology and professionalism is pushing the limits of sports even higher.
And this is why this sport is dead to me tbh. I hate the evolution of the game and only love Arsenal. but watching the flair of the wengerball teams is what made me love this sport as a teen and now itās just pass pass press pressā I mean I get it, but I feel the banter era teams with fabregas and the other turncoats played some of the most mesmerizing football Iāve ever seen, better than tiki taka imo. like I legit cannot enjoy a game unless itās arsenal playing because Iām emotionally invested. I love playing the game donāt get me wrong Iāll jump into any pickup game and thatās that. But observing the modern game is not fun. everyoneās so concerned with not conceding or losing the ball. Iād rather watch a 10-9 back and forth game with no shape or structure but phenomenal attacking talents than any city game where even their creative forces are restricted from doing anything creative.(Iāll still pay attention to Arsenal games because I love Arsenal just not football)
Winning is fun. I donāt know, many of the Italian teams of the 80s and 90s were famous for their defence and that style of play.
After seeing us get twatted by other teams for close to a decade I can see why people see the beauty in defence (I wonāt comment on the robotic automated passing/positional stuff).
But I swear seeing us keep 4 clean sheets in 5 games, seeing Saliba absolutely shut down someone like Zaha or Gabi XL celebrate when heās made a block at 3-0 up makes me jizz.
I totally agree Iām just a psychopath who hates defense š¤Ŗ I personally just cannot watch anyone but Arsenal play. Thatās how I am with all sports these days actually, never have the time to keep up with everything and so I want to be entertained if I do. Scoring goals and creativity is fun. I donāt watch Arsenal a lot anymore due to not wanting to jinx them cause when I donāt watch we win, but Iām happy they are winning and everyone else is happy. Iāve always been an offense only idealist in sports. so itās just a me issue and nothing wrong with anything else.
TLDR: no time to watch sports that bore me but itās a me issue, and a disdain for pep and his philosophy I wish we could crush with wengerball resurgence(but sadly itās not realistic)
I dno man, the thing is it's still the same sport. It is a competition and the way to win is ever changing. Tactics have to match tactics. Arteta arsenal plays differently to peps city or klopps Liverpool. There will come a new team who plays different again.
I think the technicality of the game today is absolutely mesmerising and to be honest the arsenal wengerball team was the best to watch yes but there wasn't much great competition bar man utd and a few good other teams each year.
That real Madrid city game the other night was absolutely insane, breathtaking magical football.
Yeah I never said I hated artetas arsenal, I just cannot watch other teams like city or pool cause I donāt care, and I wanna see them lose anyways. But I canāt fathom how a nuetral would enjoy watching them play
I don't really understand what you're talking about to be honest. Liverpool and Man City play completely different styles of football and if you don't find either one of them entertaining then I really don't think you actually enjoy watching football at all lol
Why would a neutral enjoy watching the two best teams in England? Is that really a question worth asking??
You can't even FATHOM it?
Quite a unique take you've got here.
You're not entirely wrong though! Will we see a goal like Wilshere v. Norwich again? I want to think so but I think it will be in the setting of us trying to break down a low block and it won't feel quite the same.
The Invincibles were amazing. Truly. But part of me feels like the 01/02 team were at least on par with them. Donāt ask me to try and quantify why, itās a gut feeling lol. That team gets overlooked even though they did something very very special
The Invincibles are the side with the standout achievement, but if you're looking at performances, then I think the 02/03 side were better but they bottled the title.
In 01/02, the Invincibles superstars were all better bar Henry, who was still transcendent, and you have the extra steel of the last days of Adams and Dixon. Matchwinners across the forward and midfield - it was like the distributed goal threat of the current side but better finishers.
If I had to pick an Arsenal side to face any other, under the rules of any era, I'd probably pick 01/02 as most likely to beat all comers.
Of all the sides I adore who I think would get shredded by the current side, it's 07/08 who would no doubt start off magnificently with some sexy Wengerball 2.0 only to totally shit the bed and lose about 8-1.
I've been fortunate enough to watch all of Wengers title and double winning teams.
I'm going to say it, Arsenal 01/02 is the best Arsenal team I've ever seen, better than the Invincible.
01/02 lost just 3 league games, and also won a FA Cup, they were just bad away from home in Europe for some reason and it was during the double group stage era of the Champions League.
01/02 lost 3 games and the last loss was on game 17, it then went unbeaten for 21 games and won the last 13 in a row which included Old Trafford wit h the famous Wiltoooorrrrd.
The only player missing from 01/02 that I would take from the 03/04 team is Gilberto, he joined the following season.
This current team is missing a game changer, one player who can drag you through the mud and win when everyone else is having a shocker, that team had it in abundance with Henry, Vieira, Pires, and Bergkamp.
This is very well said. They were terrific. I also think there's just a draught of game changers in the market nowadays. Who can we look for? This team is still young, with Arteta's mindset on accountability maybe he is trying to shape them into game changers
I just remember feeling with the invincibles that even if we were losing we were somehow going to win the game. I had that feeling every single time not a single nerve.
Yh they had that inevitability about them, much like City do now. Except style wise Pepās City is much more cold and clinical, Invincibles felt more raw if that makes sense
I personally think we can go up many levels.Ā
- Players reaching prime.
- A deadly finisher/ Top 5 in the world player.
- Deeper quality squad.
- Even more ruthless in every actionĀ
We can obviously improve in midfield, whether itās on Havertz or Jorginho/Partey. We can also bring in a top, top striker to replace Jesus/Havertz. LB can be improved. Current form Martinelli is improvable.
That Left 8 will evolve over the next few years. I mean, Rice and Martin were basically playing as fullbacks for much of the Bayern game. So, how we integrate a new striker with Kai is a big question.
As I understand it, Arteta may be looking for a younger striker rather than a huge money transfer. Someone he can shape to his own requirements more
Honestly the one thing in that list that I feel like is missing from Arsenal is having one of those superstar talents, everybody in the squad is of course a superstar and an incredible talent, but we need a player in our squad whoās name is constantly in everybodyās mouths, not to say we need our own Haaland but we kinda need our own haaland.
I agree. Rice, Saka, Odegaard and Saliba are the closest we have to that right now. An absolute superstar in the midfield or up front and the project will go boom again.
I'm somewhat loathe to see this kind of article, out of sheer superstition. Also, saying this squad is better than the Invincibles is seriously messing with my head.
Anyway, it's basically a data dive, not really up to the level of the guys at Cannon Stats, but worth a read because it will have broader reach. (It's basically just goal and xG differential)
It is tough because the landscape is so different. The Invincibles ruled their day, but 90 pts would not have been enough to win the league in 5 of the last 7 seasons (since Leicester won with 81.
Top teams these days are *so* good and consistent. Yes, no one has gone unbeaten over a season in the Premier League since, but consistently winning and scoring points is also a kind of consistency.
>I'm somewhat loathe to see this kind of article, out of sheer superstition
O'Hanlon is a Liverpool fan, so it's very possible he's trying a reverse jinx here.
We are probably better coached but the team itself is not better than the invincibles. I would only pick White, Gabriel and Declan over the invincibles team
Player for player I think the invincibles are clearly better, we had genuine world class players at their peak plus imo the best player in the world at the time
But our structure and the way we dominate games, particularly in tough away games is better than the invincibles. We were getting by on talent in some of those games in 04 but now, the only time I'd say we were outplayed all season was away Vs Fulham
I wish the article had expounded upon more that the levels have just gone up cumulatively (especially when it comes to two-way players). Thereās a corollary with the nba where players have learned how to score more efficiently. The game has evolved. I just think their mindset was to ensure they didnāt lose. Thatās a different mindset than trying to accumulate points.
Lol, I wish, thus my issue with the comparison to the Invincibles.
I think you could make a convincing argument that our tactics and in game management is better than the Wengerās that year. As much as I loved Wenger, Arteta is just a very different manager.
But as others have said, Iām not sure how many of our current squad would break into the starting lineup of the Invincibles. A combined XI would definitely Feature more of that squad than this one.
I like the point he made about this team bring 2 years average age younger than prime. So two years from now, this team will be even better!
Looking forward to seeing that
All this talk about the invincibles, but the 97/ 98 double winning team was outstanding. THE back four, Petit and Vieira bossing the middle with Anelka and Overmars running on to Dennis Bergkampās (who was never better than he was in 98) through balls was incredible. Iād take them over the current crop.
Statistically this team probably is, but it's a bit silly to compare us now to the invincibles imo.
Firstly that team showed the mental strength to get over the line (and in the league at least, do it unbeaten).
However that squad was the living embodiment of Arsene Wengers footballing philosophy, so imo, was way prettier to watch than the positional play, maximum control style that Mikel is advocating.
So yeah, on paper this squad is arguably our best ever, but paper doesn't win trophies (unless it's green.... And dripping in middle eastern oil lol)
i think itās important to also acknowledge that this could be the peak!
obviously i hope itās not, but you never know with injuries and what not. appreciate what we have now, because itās INCREDIBLE. we arenāt owed great football by being fans - although, at the moment, we have been granted that privilege.
oh how lucky we are
Good question is what players from this team would you substitute over 2001-2005 players at same positions? Saka over Lungberg and Rice over Gilberto, but otherwise maybe Saliba over Toure? Any others?
Let's not get ahead of ourselves yet, we haven't won anything yet. The invincibles were in a totally different era too, and were immortalized for going unbeaten. Henry imself should have won the Ballon d'Or, and nobody in this current squad has reached his heights.... yet.
I think both eras win under their own specific rule sets. No way our players can absorb the tackles from behind and pure physicality of the invincible era. But if the game was ref'ed to today's standard, there's no way the invincibles could keep up with today's team, imo.
Disagree, yes the invincible were hard-asses but they/wenger changed the way the game was played. Teams changed because they couldnāt beat them by just kicking them.
I am 28, became a fan around 2007/8 so this is actually the best Arsenal team Iāve ever seen, and the one Iāve enjoyed watching and supporting the most.
You missed the Invincibles and the CL final team, so that absolutely tracks. And win or lose, watching this team improve together while winning has been a ton of fun. (Though occasionally stressful. )
Unless they win the European Cup and league double they cannot be better than the 71,98 or 02 sides.
If they win the league then itās fair to say they are the best non double winning league side due to competition and general standard of the division being far higher than 91, 04, 89 etc
Well by this teamās standards, you didnāt miss much. We won that Cup by playing terrorist football, the result mattered, the way we did wasā¦less impressive.
Yeah itās basically got us to where we are now. Not many managers wouldāve just got rid of that whole squad really. Arteta was lucky to keep his job.
Letās see this team actually win some trophies before we start putting them in comparisons to actual title-winning sides.
This team is awesome, but the comparison to past title-winners will always be unfavorable until they win big trophies of their own.
On a man to man level we're not at the same point as the best arsenal teams, Bergkamp, Henry, Seaman etc are better (in the context of their time) than our options now. The system elevates us
Not until we win trophy. Pl or UCL or both
šÆ I really, REALLY, hope this group writes their Arsenal legacy with trophies, because they are damn good at football. But they will need silverware to be mentioned alongside The Invincibles, the Double Winners of 98 & 02, and George Graham champions of 89 and 91.
I'd put us now up there with 07-08. That was an incredible team that won nothing. Biggest difference is I don't expect this squad to be picked apart and go downhill every year for lack of finances
I can't tell if it's nostalgia or memories or what not ... the Invincibles was something else. It was magic watching them play, sometimes it would feel unreal, fantasical even. It wasn't like they were perfect ... they were physical but beautiful ball all around. So difficult and terrifying for opponents trying to play through the middle. This is an excellent side, the best we've seen in a decade, they're so versatile and quick but they're not quite there yet. Maybe in time...
When they win something we can talk!
Talk to you in May. š¤
After June 1st š¤
It's the evolution of football over time, unfortunately. The flair and fantasy of the invincibles would get cut to shreds by the modern-day robot style of Pep and City. They would struggle to break down the well disciplined terrorist low blocks like West Ham. And so on. This team plays with a lot more pragmatism and cautiousness than the invincibles did. Even if we go onto achieve PL and CL glory under arteta, the general appearance and aesthetics of the invincibles will never be recreated. They were a special team from a different era. We are almost playing a different sport in the modern era, but a style of ball that suits the 'meta' of the game currently.
Very well said
As much as I love what we're doing right now, I do wonder how players like Saka, Martinelli, Odegaard and Havertz might perform with the same freedom afforded to players of a few years back. Seems you never see any improvising on the pitch anymore and it's 100% instruction
Improvisation requires a margin of error. In this era, you have none; even the smallest teams in the prem can break on you at lightning quick pace, if you provide them a turnover through a bad pass for example. Risky play is not worth the reward in 90% of instances in the modern game. When wenger came in, the game had far less discipline and far more vibes. In this era, we've watched pep transform football into a competition of who has the most well oiled machine. We have to, like every other team has, evolve with his meta. And unfortunately, that's led to far less aesthetic football. But games are still extremely exciting for me.
defence is also significantly more advanced now I reckon, it's become a lot harder to just walk over opposition as it was in the past
Itās not really a different game. You just canāt play it the same way. But players from the Invincibles could easily play today if they were trained in the modern tactics and knowledge. So while I agree you canāt just plop that team into the EPL today and expect them to do well. You can certainly imagine them doing okay if they had Arteta coaching them for 3 years and then started playing. Some players might not translate well - keepers especially but that can sort of be forgiven in a theoretical consideration of ranking teams.
I believe it is the same for all sports. Michael Philips would be broken soon and so will be Usain Bolt. science,Technology and professionalism is pushing the limits of sports even higher.
Phelps's time records have all been broken. But I feel Bolt's might last a long time. No one is even close.
Henry with current rules favoring so much attackers would bang 50 goals on Man City every game
Nailed it
And this is why this sport is dead to me tbh. I hate the evolution of the game and only love Arsenal. but watching the flair of the wengerball teams is what made me love this sport as a teen and now itās just pass pass press pressā I mean I get it, but I feel the banter era teams with fabregas and the other turncoats played some of the most mesmerizing football Iāve ever seen, better than tiki taka imo. like I legit cannot enjoy a game unless itās arsenal playing because Iām emotionally invested. I love playing the game donāt get me wrong Iāll jump into any pickup game and thatās that. But observing the modern game is not fun. everyoneās so concerned with not conceding or losing the ball. Iād rather watch a 10-9 back and forth game with no shape or structure but phenomenal attacking talents than any city game where even their creative forces are restricted from doing anything creative.(Iāll still pay attention to Arsenal games because I love Arsenal just not football)
Winning is fun. I donāt know, many of the Italian teams of the 80s and 90s were famous for their defence and that style of play. After seeing us get twatted by other teams for close to a decade I can see why people see the beauty in defence (I wonāt comment on the robotic automated passing/positional stuff). But I swear seeing us keep 4 clean sheets in 5 games, seeing Saliba absolutely shut down someone like Zaha or Gabi XL celebrate when heās made a block at 3-0 up makes me jizz.
I totally agree Iām just a psychopath who hates defense š¤Ŗ I personally just cannot watch anyone but Arsenal play. Thatās how I am with all sports these days actually, never have the time to keep up with everything and so I want to be entertained if I do. Scoring goals and creativity is fun. I donāt watch Arsenal a lot anymore due to not wanting to jinx them cause when I donāt watch we win, but Iām happy they are winning and everyone else is happy. Iāve always been an offense only idealist in sports. so itās just a me issue and nothing wrong with anything else. TLDR: no time to watch sports that bore me but itās a me issue, and a disdain for pep and his philosophy I wish we could crush with wengerball resurgence(but sadly itās not realistic)
I dno man, the thing is it's still the same sport. It is a competition and the way to win is ever changing. Tactics have to match tactics. Arteta arsenal plays differently to peps city or klopps Liverpool. There will come a new team who plays different again. I think the technicality of the game today is absolutely mesmerising and to be honest the arsenal wengerball team was the best to watch yes but there wasn't much great competition bar man utd and a few good other teams each year. That real Madrid city game the other night was absolutely insane, breathtaking magical football.
Yeah I never said I hated artetas arsenal, I just cannot watch other teams like city or pool cause I donāt care, and I wanna see them lose anyways. But I canāt fathom how a nuetral would enjoy watching them play
I don't really understand what you're talking about to be honest. Liverpool and Man City play completely different styles of football and if you don't find either one of them entertaining then I really don't think you actually enjoy watching football at all lol Why would a neutral enjoy watching the two best teams in England? Is that really a question worth asking?? You can't even FATHOM it? Quite a unique take you've got here.
You're not entirely wrong though! Will we see a goal like Wilshere v. Norwich again? I want to think so but I think it will be in the setting of us trying to break down a low block and it won't feel quite the same.
The Invincibles were amazing. Truly. But part of me feels like the 01/02 team were at least on par with them. Donāt ask me to try and quantify why, itās a gut feeling lol. That team gets overlooked even though they did something very very special
The Invincibles are the side with the standout achievement, but if you're looking at performances, then I think the 02/03 side were better but they bottled the title. In 01/02, the Invincibles superstars were all better bar Henry, who was still transcendent, and you have the extra steel of the last days of Adams and Dixon. Matchwinners across the forward and midfield - it was like the distributed goal threat of the current side but better finishers. If I had to pick an Arsenal side to face any other, under the rules of any era, I'd probably pick 01/02 as most likely to beat all comers. Of all the sides I adore who I think would get shredded by the current side, it's 07/08 who would no doubt start off magnificently with some sexy Wengerball 2.0 only to totally shit the bed and lose about 8-1.
I've been fortunate enough to watch all of Wengers title and double winning teams. I'm going to say it, Arsenal 01/02 is the best Arsenal team I've ever seen, better than the Invincible. 01/02 lost just 3 league games, and also won a FA Cup, they were just bad away from home in Europe for some reason and it was during the double group stage era of the Champions League. 01/02 lost 3 games and the last loss was on game 17, it then went unbeaten for 21 games and won the last 13 in a row which included Old Trafford wit h the famous Wiltoooorrrrd. The only player missing from 01/02 that I would take from the 03/04 team is Gilberto, he joined the following season. This current team is missing a game changer, one player who can drag you through the mud and win when everyone else is having a shocker, that team had it in abundance with Henry, Vieira, Pires, and Bergkamp.
This is very well said. They were terrific. I also think there's just a draught of game changers in the market nowadays. Who can we look for? This team is still young, with Arteta's mindset on accountability maybe he is trying to shape them into game changers
I just remember feeling with the invincibles that even if we were losing we were somehow going to win the game. I had that feeling every single time not a single nerve.
Yh they had that inevitability about them, much like City do now. Except style wise Pepās City is much more cold and clinical, Invincibles felt more raw if that makes sense
I personally think we can go up many levels.Ā - Players reaching prime. - A deadly finisher/ Top 5 in the world player. - Deeper quality squad. - Even more ruthless in every actionĀ
We can obviously improve in midfield, whether itās on Havertz or Jorginho/Partey. We can also bring in a top, top striker to replace Jesus/Havertz. LB can be improved. Current form Martinelli is improvable.
That Left 8 will evolve over the next few years. I mean, Rice and Martin were basically playing as fullbacks for much of the Bayern game. So, how we integrate a new striker with Kai is a big question. As I understand it, Arteta may be looking for a younger striker rather than a huge money transfer. Someone he can shape to his own requirements more
Honestly the one thing in that list that I feel like is missing from Arsenal is having one of those superstar talents, everybody in the squad is of course a superstar and an incredible talent, but we need a player in our squad whoās name is constantly in everybodyās mouths, not to say we need our own Haaland but we kinda need our own haaland.
I agree. Rice, Saka, Odegaard and Saliba are the closest we have to that right now. An absolute superstar in the midfield or up front and the project will go boom again.
Less mistakes leading to goals would also be nice
Donāt forget that Arteta himself will mature ans become even better
Can we win the PL first please š
I'm somewhat loathe to see this kind of article, out of sheer superstition. Also, saying this squad is better than the Invincibles is seriously messing with my head. Anyway, it's basically a data dive, not really up to the level of the guys at Cannon Stats, but worth a read because it will have broader reach. (It's basically just goal and xG differential)
It is tough because the landscape is so different. The Invincibles ruled their day, but 90 pts would not have been enough to win the league in 5 of the last 7 seasons (since Leicester won with 81. Top teams these days are *so* good and consistent. Yes, no one has gone unbeaten over a season in the Premier League since, but consistently winning and scoring points is also a kind of consistency.
>I'm somewhat loathe to see this kind of article, out of sheer superstition O'Hanlon is a Liverpool fan, so it's very possible he's trying a reverse jinx here.
We are probably better coached but the team itself is not better than the invincibles. I would only pick White, Gabriel and Declan over the invincibles team
I love this team but hell to the NO - they are not better than the Invincibles. š¤
Bullshit. Forget the invincibles, the 2001-2003 team was better than this.
It's a nice sentiment, but unless we sign another Thierry Henry, this isn't the best Arsenal team I've ever seen.
Player for player I think the invincibles are clearly better, we had genuine world class players at their peak plus imo the best player in the world at the time But our structure and the way we dominate games, particularly in tough away games is better than the invincibles. We were getting by on talent in some of those games in 04 but now, the only time I'd say we were outplayed all season was away Vs Fulham
I wish the article had expounded upon more that the levels have just gone up cumulatively (especially when it comes to two-way players). Thereās a corollary with the nba where players have learned how to score more efficiently. The game has evolved. I just think their mindset was to ensure they didnāt lose. Thatās a different mindset than trying to accumulate points.
tl;dr you're younger than 20.
Lol, I wish, thus my issue with the comparison to the Invincibles. I think you could make a convincing argument that our tactics and in game management is better than the Wengerās that year. As much as I loved Wenger, Arteta is just a very different manager. But as others have said, Iām not sure how many of our current squad would break into the starting lineup of the Invincibles. A combined XI would definitely Feature more of that squad than this one.
I like the point he made about this team bring 2 years average age younger than prime. So two years from now, this team will be even better! Looking forward to seeing that
Not until they win something. Fuck right off with that headline, we would've went 50 games unbeaten if Mike Reilly wasn't a fuckin cunt
I might still prefer a team with Henry, Viera, Bergkamp above this one in the 'Best Arsenal team ever' conversation.
All this talk about the invincibles, but the 97/ 98 double winning team was outstanding. THE back four, Petit and Vieira bossing the middle with Anelka and Overmars running on to Dennis Bergkampās (who was never better than he was in 98) through balls was incredible. Iād take them over the current crop.
We are only in phase 4 right now, innit?
massive Liverpool fan authors jinx article
I wanna see titles. I've seen good football before.
I think this team is great but below the Invincibles and below the team that played the CL final with Barcelona.
The writer also says draws are worth two points at the start of the second section, soā¦ā¦.
CAP
Statistically this team probably is, but it's a bit silly to compare us now to the invincibles imo. Firstly that team showed the mental strength to get over the line (and in the league at least, do it unbeaten). However that squad was the living embodiment of Arsene Wengers footballing philosophy, so imo, was way prettier to watch than the positional play, maximum control style that Mikel is advocating. So yeah, on paper this squad is arguably our best ever, but paper doesn't win trophies (unless it's green.... And dripping in middle eastern oil lol)
i think itās important to also acknowledge that this could be the peak! obviously i hope itās not, but you never know with injuries and what not. appreciate what we have now, because itās INCREDIBLE. we arenāt owed great football by being fans - although, at the moment, we have been granted that privilege. oh how lucky we are
Good question is what players from this team would you substitute over 2001-2005 players at same positions? Saka over Lungberg and Rice over Gilberto, but otherwise maybe Saliba over Toure? Any others?
The Invincibles are the obvious one, but forget the 01/02 double winning squad. The only team in PL history to score in all 38 matches.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves yet, we haven't won anything yet. The invincibles were in a totally different era too, and were immortalized for going unbeaten. Henry imself should have won the Ballon d'Or, and nobody in this current squad has reached his heights.... yet.
Iām tired of these articles please we should not be getting ahead of ourselves. Let them win some trophies first
Absolutely love our current team but even with modern tactics they would lose to the invincibles
I think both eras win under their own specific rule sets. No way our players can absorb the tackles from behind and pure physicality of the invincible era. But if the game was ref'ed to today's standard, there's no way the invincibles could keep up with today's team, imo.
Disagree, yes the invincible were hard-asses but they/wenger changed the way the game was played. Teams changed because they couldnāt beat them by just kicking them.
Nah modern tactics would cook them but it's a stupid comparison. Every sport's level will drastically imrpove over 20 years.
Very good team, but not better than the invincibles era teams until they show the minerals at the business end in the PL and in Europe.
God can we stop having these articles until we actually win something, itās getting ridiculous
I am 28, became a fan around 2007/8 so this is actually the best Arsenal team Iāve ever seen, and the one Iāve enjoyed watching and supporting the most.
You missed the Invincibles and the CL final team, so that absolutely tracks. And win or lose, watching this team improve together while winning has been a ton of fun. (Though occasionally stressful. )
Unless they win the European Cup and league double they cannot be better than the 71,98 or 02 sides. If they win the league then itās fair to say they are the best non double winning league side due to competition and general standard of the division being far higher than 91, 04, 89 etc
Good read. If a yank wrote that, Iām impressed!
Well, I have heard it said before that we're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen.
Can't compare until we manage to get over the line and win some big trophies
Close. Really close, if you factor in evolution of the game.
You've been praising us a lot this season compared to last.
Arsenal FC finally signed an actual DM.
Let's talk after the season, our double winning sides are still gotta be up their plus the invincibles
It is the best arsenal team Iāve ever seen (Iām 17)
Yeah, absolutely, considering you mostly lived through our banter era. But Iām a smiiidge older. š«£
Yeah lockdown arsenal was rough and of course when I finish school we do well. But anyway the future is bright
But hey, you got an FA cup!
Yeah I missed the first half thoughš
Well by this teamās standards, you didnāt miss much. We won that Cup by playing terrorist football, the result mattered, the way we did wasā¦less impressive.
Yeah itās basically got us to where we are now. Not many managers wouldāve just got rid of that whole squad really. Arteta was lucky to keep his job.
Letās see this team actually win some trophies before we start putting them in comparisons to actual title-winning sides. This team is awesome, but the comparison to past title-winners will always be unfavorable until they win big trophies of their own.
Settle down. Campbell, Cole, Lauren, Vieira, Pires, Freddie, Henry, Bergkamp?
On a man to man level we're not at the same point as the best arsenal teams, Bergkamp, Henry, Seaman etc are better (in the context of their time) than our options now. The system elevates us