Episode 15

To understand the origin of The Invincibles, we have to go back to the late 1990s. Arsenal Football Club, based in north London, had already been successful under their French manager Arsène Wenger.

Wenger wasn’t just a manager - he was a revolutionary figure in British football. Despite being relatively unknown before his arrival in England, Wenger changed English football forever. He brought new ideas about nutrition, fitness and tactics. His players ate healthy food and worked hard to improve their stamina. No more sessions in the pub drinking eight pints of beer every weekend, no more pizza. Regular gym workouts were mandatory. Fitter players can run faster and longer and if you can outrun the other team, you have a really good chance of winning more football matches.

Arsène Wenger introduced players from continental Europe and Africa to play a fast, elegant style of football - very different from the physical, direct football which was typical in England at the time. Wenger brought in players who changed Arsenal’s fortunes. The most controversial was Sol Campbell, an English defender who had spent his career at Tottenham, another club based in north London. Tottenham were and still are a smaller club than Arsenal. They were not making progress, Sol Campbell was not satisfied with how his career was moving forward, so he did the unthinkable; he ran down his contract at Tottenham, left the club on a free transfer, which means that Tottenham received no financial compensation and Sol Campbell joined Arsenal to fulfil his ambition of playing at the highest level and winning trophies.

By the summer of 2003, Arsenal had already been champions and FA Cup winners. They had just won another FA Cup in May 2003. In the 2003-2004 season, they achieved something no one had done before in the Premier League era - they went unbeaten all season.

Let’s be clear; going unbeaten in English football is incredibly hard. The Premier League is fast, physical, and sometimes unpredictable, but Arsenal managed to go 38 matches without defeat - 26 wins and 12 draws. In the US, they would say “ties”; 12 ties. During the league season, Arsenal scored 73 goals and conceded only 26. The last team to go through an entire league season unbeaten was Preston North End in 1889 - more than one hundred years earlier, more than a century earlier! That’s why Arsenal’s 2003-2004 side earned the nickname “The Invincibles”.

At the heart of the team was Thierry Henry, a French striker known for his abilty to run with the ball at high speed, his intelligence and clinical finishing. He scored 30 league goals that season. The second best striker in the league, Alan Shearer, only scored 22. Thierry Henry dominated the league that season.

Alongside him in attack was Dennis Bergkamp. Calm, creative, and technically almost perfect - a player who thought three steps ahead of the opposition defenders. Dennis Bergkamp was a more physical presence than Thierry Henry and their chemistry terrified rival defenders.

In midfield, the engine, the manager’s voice on the pitch, the captain, Patrick Vieira. He was powerful, commanding, and a true leader on the field. His ability to physically dominate opposition midfielders was a key component in Arsenal’s success, but he was more than just a physical beast. Patrick Vieira passed the ball forward at such speed, with such bravery. His ability to see space and opportunities to attack made him arguably the most complete midfielder in Europe at the time. His battles with Manchester United captain Roy Keane are legendary. Now, the two rivals look back at that era with smiles on their faces. The mutual respect between the two leaders was clear and now, they share jokes and stories about their careers on the field.

Frenchman Robert Pirès and Freddie Ljungberg from Sweden were on the wings and Gilberto Silva was the quiet defensive midfielder who held everything together. He did the unglamorous jobs effieciently, but without his contribution and his reliable presence in a defensive role, the team would not have been so free to attack with such devastating effect.

Every player had a role. Every player trusted the system. Arsène Wenger was the architect of it all. His vision became a reality. Arsenal would go on to win three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups under Arsène Wenger, but the crowning achievement of his career is leading Arsenal to an unbeaten Premier League season.

The Invincibles’ achievement wasn’t just about numbers - it changed how people saw Arsenal and even how they saw football. Arsenal’s football was beautiful: quick passing, intelligent movement, confidence, and flair. They didn’t just win, they won with style.

Eventually their unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end after 49 games, but the legacy of that team will live on for generations. In the Emirates Stadium today, the home of Arsenal, there’s a golden Premier League trophy - the only one ever made - to celebrate that undefeated season. Teams have been trying this for 20 years since and nobody has achieved it.

But what is the legacy of Arsenal’s Invincibles? It’s not just about winning. It’s about believing in a philosophy, playing with passion, and proving that success can come from innovation, rather than imitation.

Episode 15 Vocabulary

Nutrition - The branch of science related to food and diet.

If kids learn about nutrition at school, maybe the obesity problem in this country will improve.

Mandatory - Required by law or by the relevant authority.

I think it should be mandatory for all cyclists to wear a helmet.

Controversial - Causing a lot of discussion, usually for negative reasons.

The comedian was in the newspapers last week because he told some controversial jokes.

The unthinkable - A shocking action or an event which nobody ever thought would happen.

My friend did the unthinkable. He left his wife to start a relationship with her sister.

Financial - Related to money.

Sales have been low this year, so the business is experiencing financial problems.

Clinical - Efficient and unconcerned with emotion.

They are successful because they approach their job with such a clinical attitude.

Component - One part of something made of multiple parts.

The most important components of a marriage are love and trust.

Devastating - Causing a lot of damage or distress. Can be used for physical or emotional contexts.

I am in shock because I have received some devastating news about my brother.

Crowning achievement - The most respected accomplishment by a group or an individual.

Her crowning achievement was winning an Olympic medal.

Flair - A style which attracts a lot of attention. This is a positive word.

My boss dresses with flair. He always wears expensive suits.