Remembering the Invincibles: Middlesbrough vs. Arsenal, 2003/04

Welcome to the second edition of my “Remembering The Invincibles” feature to celebrate the 10th of the greatest ever achievement in the history of Arsenal Football Club (or is it lamenting the almost decade it has been since we last won the title?). You can read the first instalment here. This game was a momentous game for another reason, other than yet another resounding Arsenal win. It was the 100th appearance in an Arsenal shirt for Sol Campbell.

Sol Campbell (left) shakes hands with manager Arsene Wenger during a press conference at Arsenals training ground, London Colney, to announce his signing for Arsenal Football Club. Jamie McDonald/ALLSPORT

At a time when Arsenal’s old guard were coming to the end of their second-wind under Wenger’s tutelage and innovative health and fitness regime, many were wondering what would happen to our defence under an attacking manager like Wenger without the steady and reliable heads of Adams and Bould. In came Sol Campbell. Sol was an absolute rock for Arsenal and his signing has to be one of the best signings ever made at Arsenal. Not only did we land a world-class defender, but we took him from Spurs, where he was captain and their only top class player of the time.

It must have taken a lot for Sol to make that move, especially on a free transfer, and he was rewarded bountifully. 100 appearances made within 2 years and a couple of days show how quickly Sol became an integral part of the team and how far we used to go in competitions, given those days the League Cup was purely for kids.

And now on to the first away game of the ‘Invincible’ season away at The Riverside stadium.

Teams:

Arsenal:Lehmann, Lauren, Campbell, Touré, Cole, Ljungberg, Gilberto, Vieira, Pires, Henry, Wiltord Subs: Taylor, Keown, Parlour, Edu, Bergkamp

Everton:Schwarzer, Cooper, Southgate, Riggott, Wright, Parnaby, Juninho, Doriva, Boateng, Nemeth, Christie Subs: Nash, Stockdale, Wilson, Downing, Davies

The Match:

Under Steve McLaren, yes Steve McLaren, Middlesbrough had become a decent side. They were usually well organised, good on the counter and generally hard to break down. This meant nothing to Arsenal, who quickly set about humiliating Middlesbrough.

The first goal came in a blur of yellow and blue and in an unusually unspectacular finish for Henry. Five minutes into the game and Vieira fed a ball through the Middlesbrough defence to Ljungberg, who had made one of the ghosting runs towards and into the box he had become famous for. Schwarzer stretched to meet his shot but could do little but watch as his parried save fell to Henry, who quickly and efficiently dispatched it into the home goal.

The second goal came on 13 minutes when Cole and Pires, dominating the left hand side as they did, played a few fantastic one-twos before Pires crossed to Gilberto, who volleyed in his first Premier League goal. A few had been wondering over the summer why we had ended up with the “crap” Brazilian when the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho were lighting up the world stage for club and country. They quickly changed their tune and to this day lament the departure of Gilberto.

Goal number three came courtesy of some wonderful French flair; Pires putting Henry through down the left to put in a superb chipped cross for Wiltord to put the move to bed with a sweet side footed volley. Sylvain Wiltord got his second goal of the match on the hour mark, after Sol Campbell played a defence splitting pass to Ljungberg, who had a great opportunity to get himself on the score-sheet but selflessly passed to Wiltord.

With the job well done, Wenger sent on our “squad players” – Bergkamp, Edu and Parlour. Depth the likes of which we have not seen for a long time.

Result:0-4 win

Standing:Played 2: Won 2: Drew 0: Lost 0