Chelsea icon John Terry believes that his former side's Premier League victory in 2005 is as good an achievement as Arsenal's Invincibles in the season prior.
During the 2003-04 campaign, the Gunners went on a historic unbeaten run under legendary manager Arsene Wenger to win the league title and were labeled the Invincibles for their accomplishment.
The following season, Chelsea won the league in dominant fashion as well, conceding only 15 goals the entire season and losing just one game against Manchester City away.
Terry, who captained the side and played a key role as a center-back, has claimed that both achievements should be on par. The Englishman pointed out that Arsenal drew 12 games during their unbeaten season.
Terry said (via The Sun):
"I'm going to upset a couple of people here, but I think that season was as good as the Invincibles season for Arsenal. They drew an awful lot of games."
"We only lost once, away to Man City. Paulo Ferreira gave away a penalty early on in the game and we should have come back and won."
Terry added:
"When you look at the goals we conceded that year, we conceded against sides you wouldn't expect if I'm honest and that's no disrespect to them. Looking back today, that could have maybe been nine or 10 goals conceded."
The Chelsea icon concluded:
"I don't think it's a record that's ever going to be beaten if I'm honest. I certainly hope it's not and I'm very proud of what we did defensively."
The Blues secured a 5-0 win over West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, May 5. They will next face Nottingham Forest in the league on May 11, while Arsenal take on Manchester United the following day.
"They look like champions" - Former Chelsea star Joe Cole hails Arsenal for their display against Bournemouth
Arsenal secured a 3-0 win in an important Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on Saturday (May 4) as we move towards the end of the campaign.
Bukayo Saka converted a penalty that Kai Havertz won to put his side 1-0 up just before half-time. Leandro Trossard then doubled their lead in the 70th minute before Declan Rice's stoppage-time strike sealed all three points for Arsenal.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole was in awe of the Gunners' display against the Cherries, insisting that they were flawless and looked like champions. He said on TNT Sports after the game:
"Fantastic performance. Should have been 3-0 or 4-0 from the first half, [they] took the pedal off the gas a touch in the second half but then showed their class with the finishing. Declan Rice, outstanding. Havertz was running the line, threats from everywhere, solid at the back. They look like champions."
"I think it’s going to be one of them seasons… Man City or Arsenal, whoever gets the trophy, there’s two champions. I can’t see a fault in this Arsenal team–a real impeccable performance."