Arsenal's Invincibles: Where are they now?

Arsenal’s 2003/04 squad went the entire league season unbeaten – so where are they all now?In the 2003/04 season, Arsenal FC achieved a milestone that no other team in English football were able to do before and since: go an entire 38 game league without losing a single game. At the end of the season, the table read: Played 38 – Won 26 Drawn 12 Lost 0, and the team became immortal.While that team will be the only team to have won a special golden EPL trophy, one might often wonder where the main players of the record-breaking squad are now and what they are doing. Here’s what they are all up to.

#1 Jens Lehmann

Brought in as the heir to David Seaman, the German Jens Lehmann had an immediate impact on the team and the squad, making some important saves and also helping out the defence immensely by coming out to take some difficult crosses.

After hanging up his gloves, Lehmann did his coaching badges, with an internship stint at Arsenal which led to him returning as goalkeeper for a brief period in the 2010/11 season when the Gunners had a goalkeeping crisis.

Presently, he is a TV pundit and also involved in many social projects in such organisations as Laureus Foundation and UNICEF. He also acted in a movie Themba where he played the role of a football coach and scout.

#2 Lauren

Lauren was one of the unsung heroes in the Invincible season and, though all the praise and plaudits have gone to his more erstwhile teammates, the Cameroonian is held in high esteem by his teammates and the manager. In fact, Arsene Wenger once said that Lauren was his best ever signing and when you consider the likes of Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera, that’s a great endorsement of the player.

These days, Lauren stays in Seville and appears on and off for Sky’s coverage of the La Liga as a commentator.

#3 Kolo Toure

Initially starting his career as a defensive midfielder and right back for Arsenal, he formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Sol Campbell that ensured that there was a solid wall in front of the goalkeeper. Toure had an immense part to play in the Invincibles’ run, with Campbell and him complementing each other.

Toure continued his career in Arsenal for a long time after that season, before falling out with William Gallas that saw him being sold to Manchester City for £14 million. Currently, the Ivorian plies his trade as a backup defender for Liverpool and is helping them in their bid to finish in the top 4 and qualify for the Champions League next season.

#4 Sol Campbell

Sol Campbell was a coup for Arsenal, signing him on a free transfer from hated rivals Tottenham Hotspur. He was the bedrock of the defence during the Invincible season and was instrumental in ensuring everyone knew their defensive roles.

After Arsenal, he moved on to Portsmouth, and had a really short spell at Notts County, before he too returned to Arsenal for a brief time. After retiring from football, Sol Campbell has shown interest in British politics and has said he would like to join the Conservative party.

#5 Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole was one of the success stories from the Arsenal Academy. Cole was actually on the brink of leaving Arsenal, but he caught a lucky break as he was drafted back into the side for an injured Sylvinho in the 2000/01 season and made the position his own until his departure.

Cole was part of the terrifying left-hand side of Arsenal, joining the likes of Robert Pires and Thierry Henry to break quickly to devastating effect. Cole then had an acrimonious exit from Arsenal as he moved to Chelsea, winning multiple trophies with the team.

He now currently plays for AS Roma, trying to help them displace Juventus at the top of the Italian league.

#6 Patrick Vieira

As legend goes, Arsene Wenger insisted that Arsenal sign Patrick Vieira from Milan before he even got to the club, such was the impact that the young Frenchman had. And true to form, Vieira had been phenomenal for the Gunners in midfield, captaining the side to an Invincible season.

He was tenacious and tough in his tackles, giving the back four a good screen as well as helping out in attack. Vieira then moved on to Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City after Arsenal, and he is currently the Reserves team manager for Manchester City.

#7 Gilberto Silva

Another great signing that Arsene Wenger made for Arsenal was the Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva. Gilberto formed a very effective partnership with Vieira in the centre of midfield and was usually the one that held back whenever Vieira went forward to assist in attack. He was also given the nickname ‘The Invisible Wall’.

Gilberto went to Panathinaikos after Arsenal before returning to his old club Atletico Mineiro. He is currently without a club, and though 38 years old, still looking to play.

#8 Robert Pires

Part of the attacking quartet for the Invincibles, Robert Pires was one of the most stylish players to have played for the Gunners. He had a lot of flair, and he showed that to devastating effect during his time at Arsenal, especially during the Invincibles season. He teamed up with Thierry Henry and Ashley Cole to make Arsenal’s left-hand side the most dangerous in English football.

Pires moved to Villarreal and then Aston Villa after Arsenal, and he is currently signed up with FC Goa in the Indian Super League.

#9 Freddie Ljungberg

What Pires was on the left, Freddie Ljungberg was on the right. The Swedish International offered pace and width for the Gunners and scored many important goals for Arsenal during his time at the club, including goals in two finals.

Freddie was a fan favourite and gave the team an outlet on the right side but would also swap places with Pires constantly, giving the defenders nightmares. After his spell at Arsenal, Ljungberg had various minor stints in different clubs with his final contract being the marquee signing for Mumbai FC in the Indian Super League.

#10 Dennis Bergkamp

Dennis Bergkamp was the genius of the team, creating goals from impossible situations, with a vision only he could have. He was completely tuned in to what his team mates were doing around him, and more often than not, gave the correct pass to the right player at the right time.

His teammates always said that if there were three options available for Bergkamp to pass the ball, he would always choose the right option, such was his intelligence on the field. After Arsenal, he retired from football, and took up coaching at Ajax where he is currently still at. He is currently the assistant manager at Ajax.

#11 Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry was the mercurial striker that could make a goal out of nothing. Despite the team being one or two goals down, Arsenal were never really troubled because they knew they could rely on Henry to conjure some magic and score the goals needed. His hat-trick in the game against Liverpool during the unbeaten run was a prime example of his influence on the game.

Following Arsenal, Henry moved to Barcelona where he won the Champions League, and then went on to the New York Red Bulls before retiring. He is currently a TV pundit while also at Arsenal working on his coaching badges.