Between May 2003 and October 2004, Arsenal established a new league record for unbeaten play. That record will continue on in perpetuity and be documented in the annals of history.
The Gunners’ unprecedented run began in the ruins of an unsuccessful Premier League bid. On May 7, 2003, Arsenal overcame the heartbreak of a home loss to Leeds that ceded the championship to Manchester United by defeating Southampton 6-1 at Highbury. Nobody had even a dim suspicion of what would ensue.
Arsenal began the 2003-04 season with four consecutive victories, but in their eighth consecutive loss at Old Trafford, they came perilously close to failing. Ruud van Nistelrooy missed the crossbar with a late penalty kick, securing a 0-0 stalemate for Arsenal. It was the nearest shave of the 49-game sequence in its entirety.
Arsenal simply brushed aside the majority of visitors, both at home and abroad. Along the road, there were noteworthy victories at Elland Road, Stamford Bridge, and Anfield, in addition to some magnificent goals. In October 2003, one of the greatest goals was scored by Robert Pires at Liverpool, while Thierry Henry produced classic after classic.
Arsène Wenger had assembled a squad that could compete with any European opponent. Arsenal dominated their Premier League opponents with iron man Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure at the back, Patrick Vieira and Pires in midfield, and Henry partnering Dennis Bergkamp up front. They possessed an abundance of strength and flair.
They too were replete with character. Arsenal, which had been eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League within days, overcame a 2-1 halftime deficit at Highbury in April 2004 to defeat Liverpool 4-2 and remain on track for the championship.
Later that month, Arsenal defeated Tottenham 2-2 to secure the Premier League championship. Arsenal accomplished the historic achievement of going into league play without suffering a loss, accomplishing this by defeating Birmingham, Portsmouth, Fulham, and Leicester. This marks the first unbeaten campaign since Preston’s in the 19th century.
The 26-year record of 42 games unblemished held by Nottingham Forest was still valid. Arsenal equaled the score on August 22, 2004, but came perilously close to squandering the opportunity, overcoming a 3-1 deficit with a decisive 5-3 triumph.
Three days later, Jose Antonio Reyes, Cesc Fabregas, and Henry were all on target as Arsenal defeated Blackburn at Highbury and entered the annals of history. Ournger’s squad surpassed the previous record with 49 victories by scoring prolifically and showcasing some of the highest quality football in English history.
A controversial penalty kick awarded at Old Trafford in October 2004 propelled Manchester United to a 2-0 victory, bringing an end to the streak. However, that loss in no way diminished Arsenal’s accomplishment. The ‘Invincibles’ by Wenger will endure indelible memory.