The Invincibles: Arsenal 2003-04

The Invincibles is the name given to Arsenal's 2003-04 team, which won the Premier League without losing a single match: 38 games, 26 wins and 12 draws. No other side has gone a full 38-game Premier League season unbeaten.

The team

Arsène Wenger built a side of power and elegance. Jens Lehmann in goal; Lauren, Sol Campbell, Kolo Touré and Ashley Cole in defence; Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva in midfield, with Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pirès wide; Dennis Bergkamp behind Thierry Henry. Henry scored 30 league goals and was the outstanding player in England.

The season

The record nearly fell early. At Old Trafford in September, Manchester United were awarded a penalty in stoppage time with the score 0-0; Ruud van Nistelrooy hit the bar and the game ended in angry scenes. Arsenal kept going. They clinched the title at White Hart Lane, home of their rivals Tottenham, with a 2-2 draw in April, and completed the unbeaten season with a 2-1 win over Leicester City on the final day, Vieira scoring the winner.

The Premier League had a special gold version of the trophy made to mark the achievement. Arsenal's unbeaten league run eventually reached 49 matches before it ended at Old Trafford in October 2004.

Why it still matters

Great teams win titles; very few go a whole season without losing. Two decades on, the Invincibles are the benchmark every Premier League champion is measured against, and the name still means something to every Arsenal fan.

Frame the Invincibles

Our framed Arsenal Invincibles poster celebrates the 2003-04 season in posterised artwork, in A4 or A3, framed and ready to hang. It makes a perfect gift for a Gunners fan. Shipping is free across India. Looking for more gift ideas? See the football gift guide.

Quick answers