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The Invincibles (English football)

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This article is about the unbeaten seasons of Preston North End and Arsenal in England. For other similar achievements, see List of unbeaten football club seasons.

In English football, "The Invincibles" is a nickname used to refer to the Preston North End team of the 1888–89 season, managed by William Sudell,[1][2] and the Arsenal team of the 2003–04 season managed by Arsène Wenger.[3] Preston North End earned the nickname after completing an entire season undefeated in league and cup competition (27 games), while Arsenal were undefeated in the league (38 games) in a run that stretched to a record 49 games.

Preston North End

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The 1888–89 season was Preston North End's first season in the Football League (and the first edition of the championship); they went on to claim the league and FA Cup double without being defeated, which earned the squad legendary status.

The "Invincibles" nickname was first coined in 1883, long before the inaugural Football League competition. The term was used by the press in attempt to sneer or devalue the Preston's achievements at the time due to the club's unpopular professional status; Preston was one of the first sides in England to pay footballers to play for the club and the side was very successful under Sudell before the Football League.[4] After Preston played Upton Park in the FA Cup in January 1884, their opponents reported the club for fielding a professional side to the Football Association, and Preston were subsequently disqualified from the competition.[4][additional citation(s) needed]

After they won the inaugural Football League competition in 1888–89, the nickname returned in a commemorative capacity; completing the season unbeaten in both the league and the FA Cup, so becoming the first team ever to achieve the "Double". Preston's league record was 18 wins, 4 draws, and 0 losses out of 22 games played, while in the FA Cup they won all 5 of their matches without conceding a single goal.[5] Preston achieved this with a squad primarily composed of Scottish players, part of a wave of Scottish footballers in England whom became known as the Scotch Professors.[6][7]

The following season, Preston won their first league match to stretch their unbeaten league run to 23 games; in their second game they suffered their first-ever league defeat against Aston Villa, losing 5–3.[8] In his autobiography, Tom Finney wrote: "The championship stayed with North End – by now tagged the Old Invincibles – the following year, but runners-up spot had to suffice for the next three seasons".[9]

Of the seven teams to have completed the Double in England, Preston remain the only one to have done so unbeaten. In 2008, Preston opened a new 5,000 seater stand at their Deepdale stadium, named the Invincibles Pavilion in honour of the unbeaten 1880s team that had also played their home matches at the same site.[10]

Preston North End "Invincibles" squad[11]
Name Pos. Apps. Goals
 Fred Dewhurst (ENG) FW 21 13
 George Drummond (SCO) HB 16 1
 Jack Edwards (ENG) FW 4 3
 Archie Goodall (IRE) FW 2 1
 John Goodall (ENG) FW 26 22
 Jack Gordan (SCO) FW 25 11
 Johnny Graham (SCO) HB 26 0
 Willie Graham (SCO) HB 5 0
 Bob Holmes (ENG) FB 26 1
 Bob Howarth (ENG) FB 23 0
 Jock Inglis (SCO) FW 1 1
 Robert Mills-Roberts (WAL) GK 7 0
 Sandy Robertson (SCO) HB 22 3
 Jimmy Ross (SCO) FW 26 21
 David Russell (SCO) HB 26 19
 Sammy Thomson (SCO) FW 21 6
 James Trainer (WAL) GK 20 0
 Richard Whittle (ENG) FB 1 1

Matches

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Football League

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No. Date Opponent Result Scorers Att.
1 8 September 1888 Burnley (H) 5–2 Gordon, Ross (2), Dewhurst (2) 5,000
2 15 September 1888 Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) 4–0 Gordon, Ross, A. Goodall, J. Goodall 5,000
3 22 September 1888 Bolton Wanderers (H) 3–1 Gordon (2), Drummond 5,000
4 29 September 1888 Derby County (A) 3–2 Robertson, Ross (2) 6,000
5 6 October 1888 Stoke (H) 7–0 Ross (4), Whittle, J. Goodall, Dewhurst 3,000
6 13 October 1888 West Bromwich Albion (H) 3–0 Dewhurst, Edwards (2) 10,000
7 20 October 1888 Accrington (A) 0–0 6,000
8 27 October 1888 Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) 5–2 Gordon, Ross, J. Goodall (3) 6,000
9 3 November 1888 Notts County (A) 7–0 Gordon (3), Ross, J. Goodall (3) 7,000
10 10 November 1888 Aston Villa (H) 1–1 J. Goodall 10,000
11 12 November 1888 Stoke (A) 3–0 Ross, Thomson, Robertson 4,500
12 17 November 1888 Accrington (H) 2–0 Gordon, Dewhurst 7,000
13 24 November 1888 Bolton Wanderers (A) 5–2 Ross (2), Robertson, Dewhurst, J. Goodall 10,000
14 8 December 1888 Derby County (H) 5–0 Inglis, J. Goodall (2), Dewhurst (2) 4,000
15 15 December 1888 Burnley (A) 2–2 Ross, Thomson 8,000
16 22 December 1888 Everton (H) 3–0 Dewhurst, J. Goodall (2) 8,000
17 26 December 1888 West Bromwich Albion (A) 5–0 J. Goodall (2), Ross (2), Gordon 5,150
18 29 December 1888 Blackburn Rovers (H) 1–0 J. Goodall 8,000
19 5 January 1889 Notts County (H) 4–1 J. Goodall (2), Edwards, unknown 4,000
20 12 January 1889 Blackburn Rovers (A) 2–2 Dewhurst, Thomson 10,000
21 19 January 1889 Everton (A) 2–0 J. Goodall, Ross 15,000
22 9 February 1889 Aston Villa (A) 2–0 Dewhurst (2) 10,000

FA Cup

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Round Date Opponent Result Scorers Att.
1 2 February 1889 Bootle (A) 3–0 J. Goodall, Gordon, Thomson 1,000
2 16 February 1889 Grimsby Town (A) 2–0 J. Goodall, Ross 8,000
3 2 March 1889 Birmingham St George's (H) 2–0 Holmes, Thomson 8,000
Semi-final 16 March 1889 West Bromwich Albion (N) 1–0 Russell 22,688
Final 30 March 1889 Wolverhampton Wanderers (N) 3–0 Dewhurst, Thomson, Ross 25,000

Arsenal

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See also: 2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season
After Arsenal became the only team to finish a 38-match season unbeaten, the Premier League commissioned a unique gold trophy to commemorate the achievement.[12] Arsène Wenger was presented the trophy as a parting gift from the club after his last home game as manager on 6 May 2018.

In May 2002, Arsenal beat Manchester United to regain the Premier League and equal Preston's record of not losing an away match all season. In assessing the team's achievement, Tim Rich of The Independent wrote: "Invincibles, they called the last team to go through a season unbeaten away from home, although it is a word which belongs far more to the Arsenal side of 2001-02 than it ever could to the Preston team of 1888–89."[13] Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger wanted his team to push on for more honours and described the defeat of Manchester United as a "shift of power" in English football.[14] The team began the following season in good stead; a 4–1 win against Leeds United in September 2002 meant Arsenal broke the domestic record for scoring in consecutive games (47), and away league games without defeat (22).[15] Such was their effective start to the campaign, Wenger reiterated his belief that Arsenal could remain the whole season undefeated:[nb 1]

"It's not impossible as A.C. Milan once did it but I can't see why it's so shocking to say it. Do you think Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea don't dream that as well? They're exactly the same. They just don't say it because they're scared to look ridiculous, but nobody is ridiculous in this job as we know anything can happen."[17]

"Somebody threw me a T-shirt after the trophy was presented which read 'Comical Wenger says we can go the whole season unbeaten.' I was just a season too early!"

Arsène Wenger, May 2004[18]

After breaking a Premier League record of 30 matches unbeaten,[19] Arsenal lost to Everton in October 2002 (the decisive goal was struck in the last minute by Wayne Rooney, the first at senior level for the player who would go on to become England's record scorer),[20][21] and failed to win their next three matches in all competitions, representing their worst run of form in 19 years.[22] By March 2003, Arsenal had established themselves as league leaders, but nearest challenger Manchester United overhauled them to win the title.[23] Arsenal finished the season with league wins against Southampton and Sunderland and were later consoled with success in the FA Cup – they beat the former team 1–0 in the 2003 final.

Wenger sought to strengthen his team with minor additions: goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, as well as a number of young players from academies abroad, namely Gaël Clichy and Phillipe Senderos. In comparison to their rivals Chelsea, bankrolled by new owner Roman Abramovich, and Manchester United, Arsenal's transfer activity was quiet. The financial constraints that came with the Ashburton Grove stadium project meant Wenger had little income to spend on new players.[24] Once funding was found amidst the season, the club added to its roster, with José Antonio Reyes arriving in the winter transfer window.

In the 2003–04 season, Arsenal regained the Premier League without a single defeat. Over the 38 games played, their league record stood at 26 wins, 12 draws and no defeats. The unbeaten run came close to ending six matches into the campaign against Manchester United, as striker Ruud van Nistelrooy missed a penalty in injury time; the match then ended 0–0. At the turn of the calendar year, Arsenal won nine league matches in a row to consolidate first position; they secured their status as champions with a draw against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in April 2004. Their form did not continue into the domestic cups; Arsenal exited the semi-final stage of the Football League Cup and the FA Cup to eventual winners Middlesbrough and Manchester United, respectively. In Europe, Arsenal lost two of their opening three UEFA Champions League group stage matches, 3–0 at home to Internazionale and 2–1 away to Dynamo Kyiv, but eventually finished top of the group.[25] Arsenal ultimately reached the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, where they were eliminated by London rivals Chelsea.[26]

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira presented with the trophy at Highbury on the final day of the season.

Continuing into the next season, a special gold version of the Premier League trophy was commissioned to commemorate Arsenal winning the title without a single defeat.[27] In May 2018, this gold trophy was presented to Arsene Wenger as a gift from Arsenal Football Club at Wenger's final home game as manager after 22 years.[28] In addition to their two wins at the end of the 2002–03 FA Premier League, Arsenal beat Middlesbrough in their second league game of 2004–05 to equal Nottingham Forest's record of 42 league matches unbeaten;[29] the feat was eclipsed with a win at home to Blackburn Rovers.[30] The run extended to six more matches for a total of 49 league games undefeated, before coming to an end with a controversial 2–0 defeat to Manchester United.[31] The Guardian noted that Arsenal never trailed in the last 20 minutes of a game during their unbeaten run.[32]

Formation

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The most used Arsenal players in the 2003–04 season, positioned in a 4–4–1–1 formation.

Of the players from Arsenal's double-winning side of 1998, only Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp remained as first team players throughout the unbeaten run; Martin Keown featured briefly, while Ray Parlour made 25 league appearances. Defenders Lee Dixon and Tony Adams had retired from professional football in 2002 and goalkeeper David Seaman joined Manchester City a year later. Kolo Touré, signed as a right-back and defensive midfielder, was chosen to play in central defence alongside Sol Campbell after impressing during pre-season. Lauren, who had played as a midfielder for Real Mallorca, was shifted to right-back when he joined Arsenal. Wenger initially replaced left-back Nigel Winterburn with Sylvinho, but an injury to the defender allowed Ashley Cole to take his place as first pick by the 2000–01 season. In midfield Gilberto Silva partnered Vieira, with Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires playing either side of them on the wings. Thierry Henry, signed as Nicolas Anelka's replacement in 1999, was the team's focal point in attack; he was supported most often by Bergkamp.

Although the team were interpreted as one who organised themselves in a 4–4–2, their formation with the ball was closer to a 4–4–1–1. Wenger's tactics emphasised attacking football and relied on movement and interchanging, with full-backs joining in attacks. Journalist Michael Cox noted that Arsenal's strengths lay on the left side of the pitch, and added that, because the opposition focused on containing Cole, Pires, and Henry, this allowed Lauren and Ljungberg to find space for crosses. Arsenal were also strong on the counter-attack, exemplified in their away performances against Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.[33]

Matches

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Premier League

Match Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
1 7 May 2003 Southampton H 6–1 38,052 Pires 8', 22', 46', Pennant 15', 18', 25'
2 11 May 2003 Sunderland A 4–0 40,188 Henry 7', Ljungberg 39', 78', 88'
3 16 August 2003 Everton H 2–1 38,014 Henry 35' (pen.), Pires 58'
4 24 August 2003 Middlesbrough A 4–0 29,450 Henry 5', Gilberto Silva 13', Wiltord 22', 60'
5 27 August 2003 Aston Villa H 2–0 38,010 Campbell 57', Henry 90'
6 31 August 2003 Manchester City A 2–1 46,436 Wiltord 48', Ljungberg 72'
7 13 September 2003 Portsmouth H 1–1 38,052 Henry 40' (pen.)
8 21 September 2003 Manchester United A 0–0 67,639
9 26 September 2003 Newcastle United H 3–2 38,112 Henry 18', 80' (pen.), Gilberto Silva 67'
10 4 October 2003 Liverpool A 2–1 44,374 Hyypiä 31' (o.g.), Pires 68'
11 18 October 2003 Chelsea H 2–1 38,172 Edu 5', Henry 75'
12 26 October 2003 Charlton Athletic A 1–1 26,660 Henry 39'
13 1 November 2003 Leeds United A 4–1 36,491 Henry 8', 33', Pires 18', Gilberto Silva 50'
14 8 November 2003 Tottenham Hotspur H 2–1 38,101 Pires 69', Ljungberg 79'
15 22 November 2003 Birmingham City A 3–0 29,588 Ljungberg 4', Bergkamp 80', Pires 88'
16 30 November 2003 Fulham H 0–0 38,063
17 6 December 2003 Leicester City A 1–1 26,660 Gilberto Silva 60'
18 14 December 2003 Blackburn Rovers H 1–0 37,677 Bergkamp 11'
19 20 December 2003 Bolton Wanderers A 1–1 28,003 Pires 57'
20 26 December 2003 Wolverhampton Wanderers H 3–0 38,003 Craddock 13' (o.g.), Henry 20', 89'
21 29 December 2003 Southampton A 1–0 32,151 Pires 13'
22 7 January 2004 Everton A 1–1 38,726 Kanu 29'
23 10 January 2004 Middlesbrough H 4–1 38,117 Henry 38' (pen.), Queudrue 45' (o.g.), Pires 57', Ljungberg 68'
24 18 January 2004 Aston Villa A 2–0 39,380 Henry 29', 53' (pen.)
25 1 February 2004 Manchester City H 2–1 38,103 Tarnat 37' (o.g.), Henry 83'
26 7 February 2004 Wolverhampton Wanderers A 3–1 29,392 Bergkamp 9', Henry 58', Touré 63'
27 10 February 2004 Southampton H 2–0 38,007 Henry 31', 90'
28 21 February 2004 Chelsea A 2–1 41,847 Vieira 15', Edu 21'
29 28 February 2004 Charlton Athletic H 2–1 38,137 Pires 2', Henry 4'
30 13 March 2004 Blackburn Rovers A 2–0 28,627 Henry 57', Pires 87'
31 20 March 2004 Bolton Wanderers H 2–1 38,053 Pires 16', Bergkamp 24'
32 28 March 2004 Manchester United H 1–1 38,184 Henry 50'
33 9 April 2004 Liverpool H 4–2 38,119 Henry 31', 50', 78', Pires 49'
34 11 April 2004 Newcastle United A 0–0 52,141
35 16 April 2004 Leeds United H 5–0 38,094 Pires 6', Henry 27', 33' (pen.), 50', 67'
36 25 April 2004 Tottenham Hotspur A 2–2 36,097 Vieira 3', Pires 35'
37 1 May 2004 Birmingham City H 0–0 38,061
38 4 May 2004 Portsmouth A 1–1 20,140 Reyes 50'
39 9 May 2004 Fulham A 1–0 18,102 Reyes 9'
40 15 May 2004 Leicester City H 2–1 38,419 Henry 47' (pen.), Vieira 66'
41 15 August 2004 Everton A 4–1 35,521 Bergkamp 23', Reyes 39', Ljungberg 54', Pires 83'
42 22 August 2004 Middlesbrough H 5–3 37,415 Henry 25', 90', Bergkamp 54', Reyes 65', Pires 65'
43 25 August 2004 Blackburn Rovers H 3–0 37,496 Henry 50', Gilberto Silva 58', Reyes 79'
44 28 August 2004 Norwich City A 4–1 23,944 Reyes 22', Henry 36', Pires 40', Bergkamp 90'
45 11 September 2004 Fulham A 3–0 21,681 Ljungberg 62', Knight 65' (o.g.), Reyes 71'
46 18 September 2004 Bolton Wanderers H 2–2 37,010 Henry 31', Pires 66'
47 25 September 2004 Manchester City A 1–0 47,015 Cole 14'
48 2 October 2004 Charlton Athletic H 4–0 38,103 Ljungberg 33', Henry 48', 69', Reyes 70'
49 16 October 2004 Aston Villa H 3–1 38,137 Pires 19', 72', Henry 45'

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Before the season commenced, Wenger told reporters: "Nobody will finish above us in the league. It wouldn't surprise me if we were to go unbeaten for the whole of the season."[16]

References

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  1. ^ "The History of Preston North End". 13 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  2. ^ Taw, Thomas (2006). Football's twelve apostles : the making of the League 1886-1889. Southend-on-Sea: Desert Island Books. ISBN 1-905328-09-5. OCLC 153550163. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Arsenal the Invincibles". BBC News. BBC. 15 May 2004. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  4. ^ a b Clayton, David (2010). The Preston North End Miscellany. Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press. pp. 43–44. ISBN 9780752458762.
  5. ^ Agnew, Paul (2002) [1989]. Football Legend: Tom Finney. Milo Books. pp. 53–55. ISBN 0-9530847-9-5.
  6. ^ Aitken, Mike (22 March 2008). "Scots passing pioneers shaped football". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 6 March 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  7. ^ Barrett, Michael (19 February 2019). "The Scottish Professors and their role in football's first Invincibles". Nutmeg Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Preston North End match record: 1890". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  9. ^ Finney, Tom (2003). Tom Finney – My Autobiography. London: Headline Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 0-7553-1106-X.
  10. ^ "Deepdale". Preston North End FC. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 26 November 2009.
  11. ^ Brown, Paul (2013). The Victorian Football Miscellany. Superelastic. p. 126. ISBN 9780956227058.
  12. ^ "The Invincibles Collection". The Invincibles Collection. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  13. ^ Rich, Tim (9 May 2002). "Wenger's Invincibles claim grand prize in bare-knuckle title fight". The Independent. London. p. 28.
  14. ^ "Wenger hails 'shift of power'". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 May 2002. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  15. ^ "Arsenal blow away Leeds". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 September 2002. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  16. ^ Clavan, Anthony (18 August 2002). "We won't lose a game". Sunday Mirror. London. p. 80.
  17. ^ "Arsenal can go unbeaten all season, says Wenger". CNNSI.com. Associated Press. 20 September 2002. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  18. ^ "Wenger has last laugh on victory parade". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 17 May 2004. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  19. ^ Jon Brodkin (7 October 2002). "Arsenal add another chapter to record book". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  20. ^ "Rooney ends Arsenal's run". BBC Sport. 19 October 2002. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  21. ^ Dominic Fifield (21 October 2002). "Youngest goalscorer gets into the habit of wrecking records". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  22. ^ Brodkin, Jon (31 October 2002). "Arsenal qualify with little celebration". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  23. ^ "How the title was won in photos". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 May 2003. Archived from the original on 27 June 2004. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  24. ^ Bose, Mihir (19 September 2003). "Ashburton Grove costing Arsenal". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  25. ^ "UEFA European Competitions 2003-04". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  26. ^ "Arsenal 1–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 April 2004. Archived from the original on 22 July 2004. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  27. ^ "Arsenal v Middlesbrough". Getty Images. 22 August 2004. Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  28. ^ "Arsenal award departing manager Arsene Wenger golden Invincibles trophy". Eurosport. 6 May 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  29. ^ McCarra, Kevin (23 August 2004). "Gunners have all the answers to biggest test". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  30. ^ McCarra, Kevin (26 August 2004). "Henry launches Arsenal to record mark". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  31. ^ "Man Utd 2–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 October 2004. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  32. ^ McCarra, Kevin (22 October 2004). "Sense of injustice burns as Arsenal fires fade". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  33. ^ Ridley, Ian (2 November 2003). "Henry torments poor Leeds". The Observer. London. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
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