 Volume IV, 2004. |
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EPL:
Arsenal make history. May 18th, 2004. Premiership - 3pm Saturday 15 May 2004 - Arsenal Stadium, Highbury - Attendance: 38,419 ARSENAL 2 - 1 LEICESTER CITY
Goals: Arsenal - Thierry Henry (penalty) 47', Patrick Vieira 66'. Leicester City - Paul Dickov 26' Arsène Wenger described the achievement as "immortal" - it emulated a side remembered as the "Invincibles". No matter how you want to describe it, this Arsenal team is very special! The Premier League season began last August on a sunny afternoon at Highbury against a side in blue shirts, and 38 games later, it ended last Saturday afternoon in exactly the same way. The opponent was Leicester instead of Everton this time, but the result was the same - a 2-1 Gunners victory. It meant that Arsenal, champions for 2003/2004, completed an unbeaten Premiership campaign - a feat last achieved by Preston North End in 1888-89, 115 years ago. The party mood at Highbury didn't pass without drama. Leicester City's Paul Dickov, who rose through the ranks at Highbury, sent Gunners' hearts sinking when he guided home a header from Frank Sinclair's cross in the 26th minute. Thierry Henry equalised from a penalty two minutes after the restart following Frank Sinclair's clumsy foul on Ashley Cole. Then Patrick Vieira put away a second goal from a Dennis Bergkamp precision pass in the 66th minute and made sure it was an invincible season.
And with all of that, the celebrations could begin.
And did those boots of Arsenal's team
And with a cannon on our chest
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
THE MATCH LEAD-UP The Gunners are set to win the title by the widest margin since Manchester United's 10-point margin three years ago. But they can't eclipse United's Premiership record 18-point margin of 1999/2000. Arsenal are unbeaten in 14 Premier League clashes with the Foxes and aim to clinch a seventh successive home League victory over them. The Foxes have not won in 16 League visits to Highbury spanning 30 years. Referee Paul Durkin officiates his last top-flight game. He has taken charge of 23 Premiership matches this season, issuing one red card and 45 yellow, averaging exactly two cards per game. Arsenal are three matches short of equaling Nottingham Forest's all-time undefeated League sequence of 42, set over two seasons between November 1977 and December 1978. PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year Thierry Henry heads the race for the Golden Boot with 29 goals, seven more than nearest rival Alan Shearer of Newcastle. Martin Keown needs to play to clock up 10 League appearances and become eligible for a Championship medal.
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
HEAD TO HEAD at Highbury
TEAM LINE-UPS
Leicester City Referee: Paul Durkin (Poole, Dorset)
THE MATCH Patrick Vieira leads the Arsenal team into the tunnel. The captain shakes hands with Paul Dickov, a former Gunner and Leicester's skipper today. The players run out to a magnificent ovation. They applaud the fans and go into a huddle ahead of a game which could see them make history. Vieira heads for the centre circle for the coin toss. The Arsenal mascot, Gunnersaurus, parades around the pitch - even he has put a huge effort this season. Referee Paul Durkin, officiating his final game, gets the game underway. The Gunners are attacking the Clock End goal in the first half. "Stand up for the champions," sing the Arsenal fans.
The first half It was not until the 19th minute that Henry teased Matt Heath near the byline and clipped the ball for the Ljungberg at the near post. Nikos Dabizas dived in to nod the ball behind. Henry was starting to find his measure. His long-range 25-yard free kick needed to be tipped over by Ian Walker two minutes later. However Arsenal couldn't follow up that opportunity.
Leicester were working tirelessly, retaining possession and getting players behind the ball to deny Arsenal space. As their confidence grew, Leicester stunned Arsenal by taking the lead after 25 minutes.
GOAL Arsenal 0 - 1 Leicester City The Foxes had already shown endeavour. Frank Sinclair floated the ball to the back post where Paul Dickov was unmarked. Jens Lehmann hesitated, and Dickov guided his header past Lehmann at the far post. Arsenal, with their record under threat, pressed forward and tried frantically to recover. Thierry Henry again set up Ljungberg and then did likewise for Dennis Bergkamp, who sliced a long-range shot wide of the post. Walker did well to hold a stinging drive from Robert Pires after he had cut inside and unleashed a 25-yard shot that Walker spilled but just managed to re-gather before Ljungberg slid in. Then in the 34th minute, Pires whipped a curling right-foot shot wide of the post. It was starting to become a frustrating day for the Gunners as the came off the pitch at half time a goal down.
The second half
GOAL !!! Arsenal 1 - 1 Leicester City In those few seconds between Henry starting his run-up and the ball hitting the net after he has sent Walker the wrong way, Highbury was a study in anticipation. Moments later it was a picture of relief. Four minutes later Henry could have put Arsenal ahead. Running on to a precision pass from Bergkamp, he squared when it might have been better to shoot. The striker had spotted Ljungberg shuffling into the area, but in the end he was muscled off the ball as Henry's pass trickled past him. The Gunners were now dominating and it was only a matter of time that they'd win the lead. Pires and Ljungberg both had shots blocked as the Foxes were pressed further and further back.
Vieira scored the Gunners' second goal by running on to a Bergkamp pass, rounding the keeper and tucking home a shot.
GOAL !!! Arsenal 2 -1 Leicester City It was a perfect example of why Bergkamp was recently re-signed and will be at Arsenal next season. He prowled 10 yards outside the area waiting for someone to make a run. When the Gunners captain obliged, the pass was centimetre-perfect. The finish by Vieira, who escaped from Freund to round Walker, was equally clinical. That goal had broken the Foxes' resistance. And the sight of Martin Keown warming-up on the sidelines suggested the end was nigh. In the end the 37-year-old central defender came on with four minutes left in the match - to thunderous applause from the Highbury faithful - and to ensure enough appearances to earn a Championship medal Ljungberg come closest to extending Arsenal's lead when he forced substitute keeper Danny Coyne to tip over six minutes from time. Arsenal seemed happy enough to play out time after the second goal - the Gunners had what they wanted. And they did enough to keep control of the game. The final stages had an end-of-term levity. The supporters were already anticipating Vieira lifting the trophy.
Full time: Arsenal 2 - 1 Leicester City. And the Gunners in 38 Premiership games win the Championship with 26 wins, 12 draws and 0 losses. Hail the INVINCIBLE GUNNERS!!!
THE AFTERMATH Arsène Wenger spoke of his pride after Arsenal completed an unbeaten league season with the win over Leicester to spark joyous scenes at Highbury. The Gunners paraded the Premiership title in front of a delighted crowd. And the loudest cheers were reserved for star striker Thierry Henry, skipper Patrick Vieira and Wenger.
Wenger (pictured left in the post-match celebrations) is to be awarded the freedom of the London Borough of Islington after completing his third title triumph. Patrick Vieira saluted the Gunners' team spirit, as they became the first team to go through a top-flight campaign unbeaten since Preston in 1888-89. "We have a really good dressing room, and we give our best, always 100% for the team," he said. "Our intention from the start of the season was to go unbeaten, because you want to win. You never know how far you can go, but this is fantastic. This team will be remembered forever." Vieira warned Arsenal's rivals that they would fix a "very high target" as they bid to improve next season. Dennis Bergkamp, who has agreed a deal to stay at Highbury until the end of next season, echoed Vieira's sentiments. "This is definitely the best title because we are unbeaten," he said. "There is so much talent in this team. We know each other well now and you can see it on the pitch. We will keep trying to get better."
"We have played some fantastic football. This season has been tremendous. I am happy and there is more to come," Campbell added. This is a very fine achievement - everyone connected with the Arsenal club can feel extremely proud of themselves.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR ARSENAL
Captain Patrick Vieira added, "It has been a fantastic season. We achieved something unbelievable but we couldn't have done it without the fans." England defender Sol Campbell said, "It's a truly monumental season, what we've achieved is fantastic."
Three open top buses took the playing squad, coaching staff and members of their families from Highbury, on to St Paul's Road, down Upper Street to the Town Hall. Each was emblazoned with "Champions 2003/2004" and portrait pictures of every member of the Highbury squad (see right). Vieira and Henry - two stars of their record-breaking league campaign - were at the front of the first bus to leave the stadium. The Frenchmen flanked the Premiership trophy as celebrations of Arsenal's unbeaten league campaign began in earnest. Arsenal fans sang and danced in a carnival atmosphere at the Town Hall, which was draped in a huge Gunners shirt (see picture left).
It's a great time to be a Gunners fan! The team have one more commitment before many of their stars focus on the European Championships in Portugal next month. Arsenal v England XI - Testimonial match for Martin Keown on Monday May 17th at Highbury at 7.45pm (BST). GO THE INVINCIBLE GUNNERS !!!
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EPL:
Thierry Henry wins football writers' award. May 13th, 2004.
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has become the first player to win the Footballer of the Year award in successive seasons. In what can only be described as a stellar season for the 26-year-old French striker, Henry (pictured right) also won the season's PFA Player of the Year award for a second successive year - making it a clean sweep of English football's top awards for two consecutive seasons. Henry is also on track to win the Golden Boot award for the Premier League's top goal scorer when the season ends this coming Saturday. And he is also in contention to win the European award as well. Henry's Footballer of the Year award with 87% of the votes is an outstanding result and a resounding win. Chelsea's England star Frank Lampard was second, while Henry's Arsenal colleague Patrick Vieira was third. Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has become the first player to win the Footballer of the Year award in successive seasons. He polled 87% of the votes cast in the poll by the English Football Writers' Association. Henry's honour comes two weeks after he was voted the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year. In what can only be described as a stellar season for the 26-year-old French striker, Henry (pictured right) also won the season's PFA Player of the Year award for a second successive year - making it a clean sweep of English football's top awards for two consecutive seasons. Henry is also on track to win the Golden Boot award for the Premier League's top goal scorer when the season ends this coming Saturday. And he is also in contention to win the European award as well. Henry's Footballer of the Year award with 87% of the votes is an outstanding result and a resounding win. Chelsea's England star Frank Lampard was second, while Henry's Arsenal colleague Patrick Vieira was third.
He can add this to a veritable treasure trove of individual and team awards he has won in an amazing career that promises many more highlights for many years to come. These include a World Cup medal in 1998, a European Championship medal in 2000, as well as two FA Cup winners medals in 2002 and 2003, and Premiership Champions medals in 2002 and (to be presented on Saturday following the final game of the season) in 2004. He paid tribute to his team-mates and to Wenger in particular. Henry said, "It is a real honour to receive this award for the second year running. But, as I always say, it would not have been possible without my team-mates and, of course, the manager". He went on to say, "When I collected this award last season I would have swapped it for a team award but thankfully this year we have won the title so I can really enjoy it this time around". "You know we have a special group of players at Arsenal and an amazing team spirit. I love being part of this team and really believe we have a big future," he remarked. Henry has scored 37 goals for Arsenal this season, including 29 in the Premier League, to help the Gunners clinch the Premiership title. The Gunners are one game away from completing their 38-game Premiership campaign unbeaten - an amazing feat never before achieved in the Premier League and last accomplished in the top-flight of the Football League in 1888/89 by Preston in a 22-game season. Congratulations to Thierry Henry on an outstanding season of pace, power and skill - and marvelously entertaining football. VA VA VOOM! Henry (pictured left at Arsenal's London Colney training facility with mentor and Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger) was typically humble with his latest award win. He can add this to a veritable treasure trove of individual and team awards he has won in an amazing career that promises many more highlights for many years to come. These include a World Cup medal in 1998, a European Championship medal in 2000, as well as two FA Cup winners medals in 2002 and 2003, and Premiership Champions medals in 2002 and (to be presented on Saturday following the final game of the season) in 2004. He paid tribute to his team-mates and to Wenger in particular. Henry said, "It is a real honour to receive this award for the second year running. But, as I always say, it would not have been possible without my team-mates and, of course, the manager". He went on to say, "When I collected this award last season I would have swapped it for a team award but thankfully this year we have won the title so I can really enjoy it this time around". "You know we have a special group of players at Arsenal and an amazing team spirit. I love being part of this team and really believe we have a big future," he remarked. Henry has scored 37 goals for Arsenal this season, including 29 in the Premier League, to help the Gunners clinch the Premiership title. The Gunners are one game away from completing their 38-game Premiership campaign unbeaten - an amazing feat never before achieved in the Premier League and last accomplished in the top-flight of the Football League in 1888/89 by Preston in a 22-game season. Congratulations to Thierry Henry on an outstanding season of pace, power and skill - and marvelously entertaining football. VA VA VOOM!
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EPL:
Gunners 90 minutes from immortality. May 12th, 2004. Premiership - Sunday 4.05pm, 9 May 2004 - Loftus Road - Attendance: 18,203 FULHAM 0 -1 ARSENAL
Goal: Arsenal - Jose Antonio Reyes 9' Arsenal are now just 90 minutes from completing an unbeaten Premiership season after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham at Loftus Road on Sunday, in the season's final London derby. An error from Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar gave the Gunners a ninth minute lead, when the Dutch keeper hesitated on a back pass from Alain Goma and Jose Antonio Reyes stole the ball before slotting home from close range into an empty net. It was a rare mistake by van der Sar who had earlier saved at the feet of Freddie Ljungberg. Fulham had the majority of possession in the match but they rarely tested the Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann. Steed Malbranque came close to a Fulham equaliser, and former Arsenal full back Moritz Volz came even closer midway through the second half when he fired low across the face of goal past the far post. In the end, it was a solid win by the Gunners in their 37th game of this title-winning Premiership campaign. If Arsène Wenger's side can avoid defeat at Highbury against Leicester next Saturday they will repeat a feat last achieved by Preston in 1888-89.
MATCH PREVIEW The Gunners have already smashed Liverpool's record 12-match unbeaten start to a Premiership season, and Liverpool and Leeds' 29-match undefeated start to a League campaign. They have erased Burnley's name from the record books by eclipsing their 30-game sequence without defeat in a single sequence. PFA Player of the Year Thierry Henry, who has scored 150 goals for Arsenal, heads the race for the Golden Boot. Henry needs one goal to reach the landmark 30 in the Premiership this season. Martin Keown needs to play in both remaining games and Jeremie Aliadière needs one of the last two games to both ring up ten League appearances and become eligible for Championship medals.
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE:
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
HEAD TO HEAD away to Fulham
TEAM LINE-UPS
Arsenal Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
THE MATCH
The first half Reyes had already been lurking with intent to menace around Fulham penalty. Sean Davis slid in to block just as the Spanish striker looked set to pull the trigger from Lauren's cutback. And Edwin van der Sar was quickly forced into a smart save at the feet of Freddie Ljungberg who raced on to Ray Parlour's throughball. But the Dutch keeper was horribly embarrassed shortly afterwards, and there was no defender within 20 yards when Reyes put Arsenal ahead.
GOAL !!! Fulham 0 - 1 Arsenal Alain Goma's backpass should have been easily dealt with, but van der Sar's first touch was poor and he miscontrolled the ball. He tried to flick the ball around and side step the approaching Reyes who thrust out his left leg to rob the keeper of the ball. He then had the simple job of tapping home his second goal in two games. It was more than a soft goal - it was downright squishy. Reyes opened his Premiership scoring account last Tuesday night at Portsmouth, and he is unlikely to add to his tally in easier chance than this. After the celebrations, Patrick Vieira required treatment. The Arsenal captain cracked a rib in training on Saturday and needed a pain-killing injection to carry on. Fulham responded well to the setback and began to dominate as Arsenal's post-title lethargy kicked in. Steed Malbranque fired a free kick just over the Arsenal bar almost immediately after the goal. Then, in the 18th minute, Junichi Inamoto nudged the ball forward for Luis Boa Morte to go clear. He held off Ashley Cole but his low shot bounced off Lehmann and Carlo Bocanegra could not turn in his shot at the far post. A few minutes later, Malbranque rippled the side netting of with a shot that had Lehmann at full stretch. Inamoto nearly gifted a second goal to Arsenal on the half-hour when he prodded Ashley Cole's cut back just inches wide of van der Sar's post. Cole then tested the Fulham keeper with a header across the face of goal. The Premiership's top scorer Thierry Henry was barely a threat in the first half and his most notable contributions were two ordinary corner kicks. Both sides had half-chances before the break yet neither keeper was truly tested.
The second half
Then after another period of Fulham pressure, Reyes shot low into the side netting. But the tide was still with the home side. With 17 minutes left, Boa Morte fled down the left and crossed low for Sylvain Legwinski on the edge of the area. Legwinski made firm contact but Cole hacked away his from point blank range. Volz then fired a low shot across the face of Lehmann's goal and almost brushed the post on the far side. Substitutes Jeremie Aliadière and Gael Clichy added a vibrancy to the Arsenal forward line late on. The latter, normally a left back, strode through and thumped a shot at goal in the final minutes. Fulham might argue they deserved an equaliser. Malbranque thumped a free kick into the wall and nearly got on the end of a cross to the far post a minute later. But you sensed Arsenal had the game where they wanted it. If Fulham had scored, there was every chance that they would conjure up another. Henry nearly did so in the final minute but van der Sar touched his free-kick over the bar. Martin Keown came on in the final stages and therefore needs to appear at some point against Leicester to qualify for a Premiership winner's medal. Full time: Fulham 0 -1 Arsenal - and the Gunners are undefeated after 37 Premiership rounds. And now the Gunners need only to avoid defeat in their last game of the Premiership season and they will have earned a very special badge of honour.
THE AFTERMATH
Arsenal were not their usual smooth flowing best but Wenger said, "It's the end of the season, the championship is won but I don't think it was tiredness." "Some of the guys have the European Championship on their minds and they're doing just what it takes, but I can't ask any more from them," he added. "On a difficult pitch we had problems. My players refused to lose and we want to go until the end of the season. It was not tiredness - we just do what is needed and not more. We do what it takes not to lose." "Most of the season we have won with style - today it was not like that. But it was still a very important three points." On next week's final game of the season against Leicester, Wenger remarked, "I believe the players do not want to let it slip away. We'll relax first then prepare again. Of course it is at Highbury and the trophy is there so I'll believe we'll be really up for it." And on finding the motivation and continuing the momentum, he explained, "I want them to give 100 per cent each time but they are only human beings. They had a very physical game at Portsmouth and we miss that little bit of sharpness. I really hope we can do it. Overall this season the team has been absolutely outstanding. They can become immortal and make real history."
NEXT ARSENAL MATCH Can the Gunners avoid defeat and create a history that is unlikely to be repeated? At time of writing, SBS TV had yet to advise the EPL match they will telecast on free to air television next Saturday night. Should they do the right thing by Arsenal fans, we will have the opportunity of witness history in the making, and the Premiership trophy presentations immediately afterwards. GO THE GUNNERS !!! League Champions 2003/2004 and on the verge of immortality
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EPL:
Gunners stay on track for unbeaten season. May 5th, 2004. Premiership - Tuesday 8pm 4 May 2004 - Fratton Park - Attendance: 20,140 PORTSMOUTH 1 - 1 ARSENAL
Goals: Portsmouth - Aiyegbeni Yakubu 30'. Arsenal - Jose Antonio Reyes 49' Arsenal stayed on track for an undefeated season after a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth. The Gunners were pushed to the limit in a captivating match at Fratton Park that extends their unbeaten run to 36 Premiership matches this season. The champions had to come from behind after Yakubu fired the home team ahead on the half-hour, but a first Premiership goal for Jose Antonio Reyes just after half time ensured the Gunners a share of the points. In their last visit to the south coast six weeks ago, Arsenal had given Pompey a football lesson with a 5-1 win in the FA Cup. This match was much tighter. Either team could have snatched victory, and in the end a draw was probably a fair result. Reyes and Thierry Henry hit the woodwork for Arsenal while Jens Lehmann twice saved crucially from Yakubu. Reyes had an excellent opportunity to fire the Gunners ahead but it flew over the bar. Jens Lehmann made a fine save to deny Dejan Stefanovic.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
TEAM LINE-UPS
Arsenal Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds, West Yorkshire)
MATCH LEAD-UP This is the third match between these clubs this season. Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg grabbed two goals each as Arsenal eased through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a comprehensive 1-5 victory in their most recent meeting at Fratton Park. All of Portsmouth's League meetings with Arsenal have been in the top flight. Their only victory in the last eight of them was 5-4 on 29 March 1958. Before this match, the Gunners were just 270 minutes of Premiership football away from becoming the second club ever to win the League Championship with an unbeaten record. They're attempting to emulate Preston, who achieved it in 1888-89, but had to play just 22 matches. Arsenal would also become the third club to complete a League season without defeat, and the first since Liverpool's Second Division campaign of 28 games in 1893-94.
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
HEAD TO HEAD at Fratton Park
THE MATCH
David Bentley was lively - the promising 19-year-old is technically brilliant and plays intelligent football. He kept it simple and linked up well with Lauren on the right flank. Bentley found the time and space to fire in a speculative shot on eight minutes but it flew wide. Bentley's attempt set the tone for a number of long-range shots. Parlour forced a fine save from Shaka Hislop after Ljungberg's shot was blocked and Reyes cleared the crossbar. But it was far from one-way traffic. Pompey's Yakubu and Lomano LuaLua are chiefly responsible for that and both strikers caused problems for the Arsenal defenders. Yakubu was the first to try his luck as Portsmouth launched a slick counter-attack after 12 minutes. Ray Parlour tracked back but slipped, to give Yakubu space to fire in a shot. Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann got down well to save. LuaLua made his presence felt shortly afterwards as he skipped past Sol Campbell but could only find the side netting with his shot. Back came Arsenal, with Jose Antonio Reyes flashing a volley past the angle of post and bar, and Thierry Henry's shot was deflected behind by John Curtis. Reyes responded for the champions after 28 minutes with a left-foot drive that was deflected on to the bar via the shoulder of Sol Campbell. A goal looked on the cards with the play spread and plenty of scoring chances. Pompey got it to the delight of the home fans.
GOAL Portsmouth 1 - 0 Arsenal
The champions almost hit back immediately. Thierry Henry (pictured left with Arjan De Zeeuw intercepting a pass to him) broke through the middle and looked certain to score, but Hislop charged out and spread himself well to make the save.
The second half Arsenal were dtermined to hit back, and Hislop made a stunning save to deny Henry after he was set free by Parlour. The Pompey keeper repeated his heroics after 48 minutes when Freddie Ljungberg teed up Henry, but the goalkeeper dived brilliantly to his left to turn the shot on to the bar. Henry was mere centimetres from leveling the score, but Hislop diverted his effort onto the bar before the ball bounced down onto the goal line via the post. That was so, so close! But Arsenal's frustration was only temporary. Four minutes after the restart they did indeed equalise thanks to Reyes.
GOAL !!! Portsmouth 1 - 1 Arsenal
Reyes should have put Arsenal in front after 52 minutes when he was clear, but slipped on the wet surface and fired over. He raced between two Pompey defenders but with time to pick his spot, he fired over the crossbar. Nonetheless, the Gunners were now on top. Bentley produced a cheeky turn before finding Reyes. The ball was worked to Ljungberg via Henry but the Freddie's low cross was cleared. Kanu replaced Bentley just after the hour and could have scored within minutes. Henry found him lurking in the box but his first shot was blocked and his second was scuffed wide. Pompey were under pressure but they weren't spent as an attacking force. Lehmann scrambled to stop Yakubu, and Kolo Touré cleared after the ball slipped out of the goalkeeper's grasp. Lehmann again denied Yakubu shortly afterwards as the Pompey striker raced past the Arsenal back four. And the German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann proved his worth once more with a flying save from Stefanovic's curling free kick. Full time: Portsmouth 1 - 1 Arsenal
NEXT ARSENAL FIXTURES They play away next Sunday at 4:05pm BST against Fulham at Loftus Road. The Gunners' last match of the season is at Highbury on Saturday May 15 at 3pm BST against Leicester City. This match will be followed by the presentation of the Premiership trophy and medals to the all-conquering Gunners. GO CHAMPIONSHIP GUNNERS !!!
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EPL:
Boring Brummies spoil party-time at Highbury. May 2nd, 2004. Premiership - Saturday 12.30pm 1 May 2004 - Arsenal Stadium, Highbury - Attendance: 38,061 ARSENAL 0 - 0 BIRMINGHAM CITY Half time: Gunners 0 - 0 Brummies Premiership champions Arsenal extended their unbeaten league run this season following an uninspiring stalemate. In an uneventful game, Birmingham frustrated the Gunners with a bolted back-door defensive approach and succeeded in dampening the party mood at Highbury. Following the tumultuous title-winning celebrations at White Hart Lane last week, Arsenal found it hard to lift - perhaps it is a Premiership hangover. Nevertheless, the Gunners are edging ever closer to an unbeaten Premiership season and after a drab goalless draw with Birmingham. The tally is now 35 undefeated, with three games to go. Arsenal passed the ball crisply and with the confidence you would expect of the champions, but they never really broke down the barricade that a defensive Birmingham team built at the back. Jose Antonio Reyes flashed a volley wide in the first half, and Thierry Henry nearly squeezed home a quickly-taken free kick just before the hour. But that was about it. It was hardly inspiring stuff. But given the stylish and powerful football that Arsenal have given their adoring fans that all season, they can be wholeheartedly forgiven. Having secured the title, Arsène Wenger has now targeted a campaign without a blemish of defeat. So in that context, it was "mission accomplished".
THE LEAD-UP The Gunners went into this game defending a 100% Premiership record against Birmingham, a 36 match unbeaten League run and just four matches away from becoming the third club in history to go through an entire League season without defeat. Liverpool were the last to achieve it in 1893-94 but were only required to play 28 games in their Second Division campaign and Preston did it in 1888-89, having played 22 top flight matches.
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE:
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
HEAD TO HEAD AT HIGHBURY
TEAM LINE-UPS
Birmingham Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)
THE MATCH
Before the game, the Gunners players appeared on the pitch wearing specially made Championship tops emblazoned with the famous Arsenal crest and the words "CHAMPIONS 2003/04". And Thierry Henry showed his second successive PFA Player of the Year award trophy to his adoring fans in the Highbury crowd. Playing "We are the Champions" just before kick-off added to the celebrations. But the Gunners still want to match what Preston's "Invincibles" did in 1888-89 with a top-flight undefeated season. Perhaps with that in mind, the manager rotated a couple of his squad from the draw at White Hart Lane.
The first half Reyes looked lively but Birmingham's defenders were keeping a tight rein on him. It was left to Vieira to drive the Gunners forward. The captain has so often been the Gunners' inspiration this season. He won a free kick 25 yards out when Kenny Cunningham blocked his path. Henry took it but his shot flew over the bar.
See picture right of inspiration Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira effortlessly glide through an attempted Birmingham tackle. Arsenal had been an irresistible force up front all season. Although they had not hit these heights today, they were knocking the ball around satisfactorily. Birmingham's defence was an immovable object.
The second half The Gunners were starting to pepper the Birmingham area with crosses in the hope that one would find the head of an Arsenal player. But former Gunner Matthew Upson was his best to for the Brummies. Birmingham without Forssell could still be dangerous. Stephen Clemence tested Jens Lehmann with a low skidding shot and Stan Lazaridis pulled a cross back for Clinton Morrison but he failed to control the ball eight yards out. Arsenal made a change on 65 minutes, sending on Robert Pires for Freddie Ljungberg, and Jeremie Aliadière came on soon afterwards to replace Joes Antonio Reyes. Arsenal continued to pressure the Birmingham defence but without reward. In the dying minutes, Cunningham nodded away Bergkamp's free kick just before it reached the onrushing Arsenal strikers at the far post. Bergkamp had a penalty appeal turned down with two minutes left when he was blocked by Birmingham substitute Bryan Hughes. Arsène Wenger delighted the Highbury crowd with seconds to go by giving veteran defender Martin Keown an appearance as a substitute. He replaced Bergkamp in injury time and was slotted into an unaccustomed midfield role. It moved Keown closer to the 10 league appearances he needs to claim a title medal. There was always bound to be a post-title winning hangover for Arsenal, but maintaining the unbeaten record to 35 games this season was the achievement of the day.
NEXT ARSENAL FIXTURES Times shown are BST (British Summer Time) - add 9 hours for Melbourne time. GO GUNNERS !!!
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Thierry Henry wins Player of the Year award. May 1st, 2004. Arsenal and French striker Thierry Henry has been voted by the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) as the winner the Player of the Year award for the second successive year. Henry's influence on the Gunners League Championship campaign clearly made him the outstanding candidate. Henry won the 2004 award ahead of fellow nominees Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, Liverpool central midfielder Steven Gerrard, Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer, Bolton Wanderers striker Jay-Jay Okocha and Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. Lampard was voted second and Gerrard was voted third.
An outstanding season by one of the world's best See picture right of Thierry Henry with the PFA Player's Player of the Year award voted from his peers. He became only the third player to win the PFA Player of the Year award twice - after Mark Hughes and Alan Shearer. And Henry is the first player to win the award in two successive years. Thierry Henry has had another outstanding season with Arsenal in domestic and European football. He has scored 29 goals in 34 Premiership games so far this season, and is likely to add to his tally with four games remaining in Arsenal's season. He is well on track to also win the Golden Boot award as the English Premier League's highest scorer.
EURO 2004 Prospects See picture left of the all-conquering France national team crowned European Champions at the Euro 2000 final at Feyenoord's stadium in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in June 2000. The prospect of Thierry Henry and Juventus striker David Trezeguet paired as France's strikers, and supported by a midfield comprising Real Madrid's Zinadine Zidane and Arsenal pair Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires is a tantalising prospect for any devotee of "the beautiful game".
Scott Parker wins Young Player of the Year Parker is not yet a permanent starter in the Chelsea line-up but started both legs of the Uefa Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal, and was a substitute in the semi final first leg against AS Monaco. Parker said, "This is very pleasing for me and it rounds off a brilliant season, although there are a couple of things that could still go my way in the summer, such as the Champions League and the European Championship. It has been a tough year for me but a brilliant year." He added, "It was always going to be tough leaving Charlton because I had not known anything else since the age of nine. It was always going to take a bit of time to settle in at Chelsea but I am happy with the way things are going."
Henry is the jewel in the Arsenal crown "I am quite lucky to play in a special team," Henry said. "The strikers grab the headlines but I have special players around me. We play as a team, we are willing to fight for each other, and you need that ability. It's like we are a family, willing to do things together and fight for it." The Gunners captain Patrick Vieira praised Thierry Henry's contribution to the their success, particularly in recent weeks. "He will tell you it is a team game but he has been tremendous in the last two games when we have been a little bit tired and needed someone to do something special," Vieira said.
Henry was runner-up for the 2003 FIFA award Zidane was voted the world's best player by 35 coaches while 26 put Ronaldo top and 21 backed Henry in first place. The 31-year-old Zidane received 264 points with Henry second on 186 and Ronaldo third on 176 following a poll of 142 national team coaches. Juventus playmaker Pavel Nedved was fourth with 158 points while Roberto Carlos was a third Real Madrid player in the top five with 105 points. Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooij was sixth while David Beckham was in seventh place. At the time of the FIFA award Henry paid tribute to his club manager Arsène Wenger who has brought the best out of the France international since signing him from Juventus in 1999. "I could talk about my respect for Arsène Wenger all day," said Henry. "He has been tremendous for me and the fans at Arsenal have been so great. I can only try and give them the same pleasure back." Wenger said Henry deserved to be recognised among the best in the world. "Although Thierry hasn't won the award, being voted the second best player in the world is fantastic recognition from the world's football coaches," said Wenger. "The achievement was to be in the top three. After that it is subjective between Thierry, Zidane or Ronaldo. For me, there is nothing between them."
Previous winners of the World Player of the Year award
PFA DIVISIONAL TEAM AWARDS
First Division Team of the Year
Second Division Team of the Year
Third Division Team of the Year
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Championship Gunners - a Tribute. April 29th, 2004. With four matches remaining, Arsenal are already champions in a record-breaking season where they have avoided defeat in the Premiership. But it is clear that they are not content with what has already been hailed as a remarkable domestic season. Unexpectedly bowing out of the Uefa Champions League at the quarter final stage has left the Gunners with an unfulfilled ambition that they have already begun to address with the imminent signing of 20-year-old Dutch forward/left-side midfielder Robin van Persie from Feyenoord. It is clear that Arsenal have their sights on a European Cup win next season, and an ambition to be as powerful as Manchester United.
GOING FORWARD Highbury's capacity to host top-flight domestic and European football is limited. The seating capacity is only 38,000, and a move to Ashburton Grove with its expected 60,000 capacity will enable Arsenal to compete in the financial stakes with Manchester United's Old Trafford, Liverpool's Anfield, Aston Villa's Villa Park and Newcastle United's St. James' Park. In a professional sport where the rigours of an open market economy rules above all, the future success of a club hinges on its ability to earn the revenue required to attract and retain quality players and coaching staff. This is a far cry from the closed markets of other football codes such as Australian Rules football and American football where teams are regulated by Soviet-style player salary caps and draft concessions.
THE PREMIERSHIP TRUIMPH - WENGER HAILS THE GUNNERS' UNITY Remarking on the Premiership title win, Wenger said, "I would like to congratulate all the players and my staff for their consistency and attitude. And also the fans who were here today so they could see us repeat what happened in 1971." Wenger, who has now won the three Premiership titles in his seven years at Highbury, highlighted major turning points in this latest triumph. The game against Manchester United at Old Trafford when Ruud van Nistelrooij missed a penalty and the Good Friday comeback against Liverpool. "We showed remarkable mental strength against Liverpool. It's not all about style," he explained. Wenger summarised the season, saying, "We wanted to win and win with style. I think we achieved that this season and we are proud of it. Throughout the season there were some turning points. The first was at Manchester United when van Nistelrooij missed a penalty in the last second. That was the fifth or sixth game and when you think, 28 games later, we are still unbeaten that shows you how precarious it is." Wenger was also relieved that the Premiership title finally made its way to Highbury after the heartbreak of last season's late capitulation that gifted it to Manchester United. Commenting on his emotions at winning the titled he said, "In this situation, there is tension going on for many weeks. When you make it then yes it is a relief. But then at some stage you can be in a situation where if you don't win you look ridiculous. But you know in football that is it never won until it is achieved mathematically on the pitch. So it is relief." He went on, "Maybe I am less good at celebrations that I used to be because in football you are always focused on the next day. And the next day in our job is always a big worry." And on whether the late equaliser by Tottenham took a little shine off last Sunday, he said, "At the start yes but overall no because we wanted to achieve winning the championship and we did that. We won it without losing a game and that is a tremendous achievement." Wenger is proud of his team's unbeaten record in this season's Premiership, remarking, "My biggest target is to keep the players focused. We have put so much effort in that we will encourage them. Just to lose a game or two because you switch off is not ideal for me. When you are there after 34 games, you are so close and I would love to keep it going." And on the overall achievement by his team he said, "For me to win the championship is the most difficult thing. It is 38 games and I respect everybody who has done it. I have not forgotten that in January Manchester United were four points in front. It may look like we have dominated this championship easily - we have not. When went out to Chelsea (in the Champions League) if they had won their two games over Easter, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, they would have been close to us. It was closer than people think."
WHY WE ARE NUMBER ONE - A WORD FROM PATRICK VIEIRA "There is such a good spirit in the team and I think that over the whole season we were the best team and we deserved this title," he said. "We wanted to do it all together. We really enjoyed ourselves on the pitch and outside as well. Every day in training we have been working really hard and in the end we won it." Vieira admitted that the brilliance of Henry, who has scored 29 goals in Arsenal's 34 Premiership matches this season, has given the team an added edge. "It is a team game but without Thierry it would be more difficult," Vieira said of the brilliant striker. "I think this year he has been tremendous, like in the last two games (against Liverpool and Leeds). When we were a bit tired and we needed someone to do something special, Thierry always stepped forward. There is no doubt he is going to be the player of the year."
WINNING THE TITLE IS WHAT MATTERED MOST - THIERRY HENRY Reflecting on the season as a whole, Henry echoed Vieira's remarks about the sense of determination that has been Arsenal's driving force this season. "It was about desire," he said. "We are all winners and competitors and you saw that the whole season and it is not finished yet. I know we won it but there are still four games to go and we will see what more we can do."
ARSENAL'S NEXT AMBITIONS Patrick Vieira made it clear that the club's ambitions extend beyond that, particularly after the disappointment of missing a great chance to win this season's Champions League. "It is a fantastic day for us and for the fans as well," said Vieira. "It is my third title here we want to continue like that because the club is getting bigger every year and our targets are getting bigger every year." Arsène Wenger also referred to the frustration of missing out in the Champions League, but he emphasised that the club is moving forward steadily. "I think in the last three years we have won two championships and two FA Cups, so I think we have improved every year and this season has been fantastic even though we have some regrets. It is a great, great achievement and now we will try to keep it going until the end of the season," he explained. Wenger admitted that finishing the season undefeated would need another huge effort from his players. "It is something fantastic that has never been done and we are so close to it. Just now it is whether we switch off or can we keep the concentration going. You could see that mentally today, the players put their last resources in but my target is not to switch off now. We are on such a good run we want to keep it going until the end."
AIMING FOR A UNIQUE SEASON Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein remarked, "To win the league itself is a tremendous achievement, but to go through it unbeaten has never been done before and may never be done again. They are an extremely talented squad which has further to go." There is little doubt that much of the credit for the Gunners' remarkable form must go to manager Arsène Wenger, under whom they have won the Premiership title three times in seven years. That means Wenger is now unquestionably the most successful Arsenal manager. Wenger said all along in the season that he wanted his team to win, and win with style - they have certainly achieved that this season. Dein remarked that, "Arsène is highly intelligent, a great tactician, has an extreme knowledge of players from around the world and one of his main skills is of course his man-management. It's the most exciting and most talented Arsenal side and this season has been a marvellous journey, they have been a joy to watch. That deserves all credit to Arsène, his coaching staff, his medical staff and, obviously, all the players. The team spirit has been exceptional and it has been a privilege to watch such breath-taking football all season." Arsenal have faced growing calls to prove themselves in Europe, and while it remains a priority for next season, they appear happy to bask in the glow of success for the time being. It is widely thought that the current Arsenal team is probably the best ever. Dein spoke of the club's ambitions, but put into perspective their achievements to date. "Many fans, who are indeed not Arsenal fans, will tell you that we have played the prettiest football that one could see. Europe in a way is a bonus to winning the league and lets not underestimate winning the league. We'd like to win in Europe but that's easier said than done as we found out this year," he explained.
RAISING THE BAR AND SETTING A NEW STANDARD The Gunners under the guidance of Arsène Wenger have mixed a powerful combination of style and strength that is so necessary for success in the grueling Premiership schedule. Arsenal, who this season have been described as the most devastating team in British football history, also have the added advantage of Thierry Henry - the most potent attacker in world football today. As the Gunners keep piling up the wins that gave them the title with a record-breaking unbeaten run, few would argue. They possess an unbreakable team spirit.
The emergence of Gael Clichy as a talented left back, to cover for the absence of Ashley Cole, has also been a revelation. Some might argue that Jens Lehmann is the weak link, but one of football's golden rules is that you cannot win the league title with a bad goalkeeper, let alone break records in the process. Many of Arsenal's young players who were unleashed in the League Cup - David Bentley, Cesc Fabregas and Jeremie Aliadière - demonstrated that the future at Highbury (and at Ashburton Grove) is looking bright.
LEAGUE MATCHES THAT SHAPED THE SEASON Arsenal can enjoy the deserved plaudits that will be lavished on them for the standards they set this season. They have won the Championship without a serious blip - a stunning achievement. They had a slight stumble back in September with a home draw against Portsmouth followed by the infamous stalemate against Manchester United at Old Trafford. But Thierry Henry's late winner from the penalty spot at home to Newcastle United in their next league match put them back on a course that remained undisturbed for the rest of the season. The Gunners have not just shown stunning ability, they have a seemingly unbreakable team spirit. They regrouped after last season's bitter disappointment and have been determined not to let arch rivals Manchester United claim the title again.
With the title now won, there can be no better tribute to the Gunners than the fact that their stylish and powerful performances throughout the season can leave no-one in any doubt that they play football as "the beautiful game". Anyone who has seen them play this season will applaud Arsenal's triumph. GO GUNNERS!!!
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EPL:
Gunners win League Championship. April 28th, 2004. Premiership - Sunday 4:05pm 25th April 2004 - White Hart Lane - Attendance: 36,097 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 - 2 ARSENAL
Goals: Tottenham Hotspur - Redknapp 62', Keane (penalty) 90+4'. Arsenal - Vieira 3', Pires 35' It was a game that Arsenal should have won 5-1, but for a couple by Thierry Henry that beat the keeper and went centimetres wide, another by Robert Pires that hit the underside of the crossbar, and the most dubious of penalties awarded to Robbie Keane deep into injury time. In the end it didn't matter and a 2-2 draw was enough for the Gunners to be crowned League Champions for the 13th time in their history. Arsenal claimed the Premiership title after drawing with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It's a repeat of the Gunners' 1971 League Championship win at the same venue, meaning that Arsenal have won more league trophies at the home of Spurs than Spurs have won in their entire history! The champions-elect took a third minute lead when Patrick Vieira slid the ball home after a lightning fast counterattack involving Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp. The second Gunners goal came half an hour later when Bergkamp combined with Vieira to set up Robert Pires who calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net. Spurs pulled a goal back through Jamie Redknapp's shot midway through the second half, and Robbie Keane secured a late equaliser with a penalty after being fouled by Jens Lehmann.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS THE LEAD-UP Tottenham Hotspur faces Arsenal in the 134th north London League derby. Earlier in the day, Newcastle United had defeated Chelsea at St James' Park, meaning that the Gunners were only in need of one point from their remaining five matches to clinch the Premiership title. So the Spurs faithful had to face the ignominity of witnessing their archrivals win the Championship title at their home ground. It's the second time Arsenal clinched the League crown at White Hart Lane - they managed it in 1971. Spurs have not beaten their north London rivals in their past ten League and Cup meetings. The last three corresponding fixtures have been 1-1 draws and ten of the 23 Premiership fixtures between the pair have finished level. The Gunners go into this game on the back of a vintage 5-0 demolition of relegation-haunted Leeds. It was a victory that took their club and Premiership record-breaking unbeaten run to 35 games and their undefeated sequence from the beginning of this season to 33 matches. It leaves them needing to avoid defeat in five more top flight games to become the third club ever to go through an entire League season without defeat. Liverpool were the last to achieve it in 1893-94 but were only required to play 28 games in their Second Division campaign and Preston did it in 1888-89, having played 22 top flight matches. Thierry Henry, who's scored 150 goals for Arsenal, heads the race for the Golden Boot by eight goals going into this round of matches. He has only scored three Premiership goals against Tottenham - all at Highbury. Sol Campbell will be facing his former club and will be making his 350th career League appearance. Lauren will be making his 100th Premiership appearance - all for the Gunners, and keeper Jens Lehmann will be making his 50th appearance for the Highbury club.
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
HEAD TO HEAD at White Hart Lane
TEAM LINE-UPS
Arsenal
GK: Jens Lehmann Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
THE MATCH
The first half
Thierry Henry's blistering pace has been key to Arsenal's success this season and the French striker's quick thinking and breakneck speed was the impetus for Patrick Vieira's breathtaking goal.
GOAL !!! Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 1 Arsenal It was the perfect start for the all-conquering Gunners, and with the comfort of an early lead; they turned on the style. Bergkamp escaped on the left and just failed to turn back a cross for the waiting Henry. Shortly afterwards the Dutch master nearly did it himself when he ran through the Spurs defence and forced Kasey Keller into a low save. Tottenham were playing like a team with little confidence. They tried hard but could not get through or around the Arsenal defence. Spurs best chances in the first 30 minutes were a low skimming free kick by Jamie Redknapp and a speculative effort by Mauricio Taricco that ended up on the top of the net. Arsenal were still in control and merely waiting for their next opportunity, and it arrived 10 minutes before the half time break when the Gunners again mercilessly exposed Spurs defensive deficiencies.
GOAL !!! Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 2 Arsenal Bergkamp's clever ball sent Vieira into space on the left of the penalty area. He hooked the ball back for Pires to sidefoot home his 19th goal of the season Tottenham replied with Simon Davies firing a dipping shot over the bar and Johnnie Jackson sent a deep cross that forced Jens Lehmann to tip over the crossbar. But two minutes before the break, Henry - who had been quiet in front of goal - raced clear on the right of the area and thumped a low shot that Keller did well to hang onto.
The second half Just as it seemed that Arsenal had soaked up all that Tottenham was able to dish out, the home side got back into the game just past the hour mark. Spurs kept plugging away and on 62 minutes Jamie Redknapp reduced the deficit. Michael Brown and Jermain Defoe combined well to create an opening for Redknapp and his low shot from 25 yards flew past Lehmann and into the corner of the net.
GOAL Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 2 Arsenal Soon afterwards Henry should have slammed the door shut once again. He was put through by Pires in the 72nd minute to be one-on-one with Keller, and he lifted his shot over the keeper but just wide of the post and into the side netting. Arsenal continued to create openings, and in the 78th minute Pires should also have scored when smacked a shot that rattled the underside of crossbar. Jose Antonio Reyes even blocked Henry's goal-bound shot just minutes after replacing Bergkamp. The Gunners should have been ahead 5-1 but for a wayward centimetre each time. It looked as though Arsenal were going to draw out the tension until the very end. But Spurs never gave up and in stoppage time referee Mark Halsey controversially penalised Lehmann for a foul on Robbie Keane as a corner skimmed the crossbar. Both players were booked and, after prolonged consultation with the assistant referee, a penalty was eventually awarded. Keane took it and sent it high to the left of the German keeper. Keane made no mistake from the penalty spot to earn Spurs an important point in their fight against relegation.
Final Score: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 2 Arsenal So there was a slight downside to the result butthis was still an historic day for the Gunners. Arsenal players train at London Colney every morning, and they always pass a large stone plaque honours board to the left of the entrance. Cut into the hard, black stone are the words "League Championship" followed by the years 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1971, 1989, 1991, 1998 and 2002. They'll be chiselling the number "2004" soon.
THE AFTERMATH - CHAMPIONS!
The Premiership title is the third for Arsenal in seven seasons under the guidance of manager Arsène Wenger who has committed himself to staying at Highbury until at least 2006, when Arsenal will move to a new 60,000-seat stadium at Ashburton Grove. That will give them the financial firepower to compete with Manchester United on a level playing field. Wenger's previous Premiership triumphs were achieved in seasons - 1997-98 and 2001-02 - in which Arsenal also won the FA Cup. Yet despite winning doubles, those Arsenal sides never achieved the kind of shift in the balance of power in English soccer that most observers agree has taken place this season. For Wenger, the players and the fans, memories of this season will be tainted by twinges of regret that such a talented side missed out on a fantastic opportunity to win the FA Cup and the Champions League, as well as the League Championship.
OTHER PREMIERSHIP RESULTS
Premiership Standings
ARSÈNE WENGER'S VIEW Arsenal are now unbeaten in 34 matches and have their sights firmly set on continuing that run through their final four matches. "We've won the championship without losing a game and that hasn't happened until now. For me that's a tremendous achievement and I'm not sure we will see it again," said Wenger. But he admitted that closing out the season without defeat would demand another huge effort that may prove beyond his players. "It is something fantastic that has never been done and we are so close to it," said Wenger. "Just now it is whether we switch off or can we keep the concentration going. You could see that mentally today, the players put their last resources in but my target is not to switch off now. We are on such a good run we want to keep it going until the end." The celebrations at White Hart Lane were muted, partly not to be seen to be overtly provocative towards the Tottenham fans but also because of the way Arsenal conceded a late penalty because of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's man-handling of Robbie Keane. "The events at the end tarnished the day a little bit. I didn't see what happened. I've been told that Lehmann was held by Keane and that he pushed him over in retaliation, giving away the penalty," said Wenger. "Jens made a mistake. He should not have responded like that despite being held back, and he knows that - he's an intelligent guy. He is angry with himself." Wenger also appeared strangely subdued. "So much tension builds up during the season that when you do win it feels like a relief," he said. "I didn't jump up at the end because I knew the championship was won before the game and I was also concerned by Lehmann," he said. Arsenal's next target is to go through the whole league campaign unbeaten, a feat that will require them to avoid defeat against Birmingham City, Portsmouth, Fulham and Leicester City. But skipper Patrick Vieira made it clear that the club's ambitions extend beyond that, particularly after the disappointment of missing out on a great chance to win this season's Champions League by losing their quarter final to Chelsea. "It is my third title here and we want to continue like that because the club is getting bigger every year and our targets are getting bigger every year," said Vieira. Wenger also acknowledged the frustration of missing out in the Champions League but stressed that the club was steadily moving forward. "I think in the last three years we have won two championships and two FA Cups, so I think we have improved every year and this season has been fantastic even though we have some regrets. It is a great, great achievement and now we will try to keep it going until the end of the season."
REMAINING ARSENAL FIXTURES On Sunday May 9, Arsenal play Fulham at Loftus Road with a 4:05pm BST kick-off, and on Saturday May 15 the Gunners play their last match of the season at home against Leicester City at 3pm. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GUNNERS - 2003/04 PREMIERSHIP CHAMPIONS
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EPL:
Awesome Gunners destroy Leeds. April 17th, 2004. Premiership - Friday 8pm April 16th 2004 - Arsenal Stadium, Highbury - Attendance: 38,094 ARSENAL 5 - 0 LEEDS UNITED
Goals: Arsenal - Pires ( 6'), Henry (27', 33' pen, 50', 67') Arsenal's vintage display was simply awesome! Thierry Henry struck a breathtaking quartet of goals in this utterly complete 5-0 win over Leeds United at Highbury. Arsenal have gone unbeaten in 33 Premiership games this season and this was arguably their comprehensive most display - taking their opportunities and giving Leeds nothing. Robert Pires scored the Gunners' first goal in the sixth minute. After that it was all Thierry Henry, who galloped through the Leeds defence to score home three times. He also clipped home a cheeky penalty. Henry's first-ever four-goal haul takes him to 150 goals in 251 appearances since he joined the Gunners in August 1999, and is now the third highest scorer in Arsenal's 118-year history. Thierry Henry is an Arsenal legend, unquestionably! Henry will get a lot of the credit for the demolition job on Leeds, but the truth is that it was a fantastic team performance. Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premiership is now 10 points and there are five games left. While Arsène Wenger will again say "it's not done yet", Gunner thinks it will very soon will be time to make room in the trophy cabinet for English football's biggest prize - and Arsenal's 13th League Championship.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
TEAM LINE-UPS
Leeds United Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Banbury, Oxfordshire)
THE LEAD-UP Before tonight's match, they require a maximum of nine points to lift the Premier League trophy for the third time in their history. They also need to remain unbeaten for another six matches to become the first club since Liverpool in 1893-94, and the third club of all time, to go through an entire League season without defeat. (Liverpool were only required to play 28 games in their Second Division campaign 110 years ago. The other club was Preston, who completed 22 top-flight games without loss in 1888-89). Arsenal have already enjoyed two 1-4 victories at Elland Road this season in the Premiership, and in the third round of the FA Cup. They are vying for a third Premier League 'double' over the Whites and the seventh over them since the League fixture was first contested in 1924. Leeds United heads for Highbury on an undefeated run of three matches and desperately hoping that history repeats itself. If the relegation haunted Leeds pull off a shock victory they would haul themselves up three places to 15th and put pressure on their rivals ahead of the Saturday fixtures. Leeds lead Arsenal 38-37 in the League head-to-head standings. They go to Highbury in search of a third successive League win there. The 2-3 success last season saved them from relegation and officially ended Arsenal's chances of the title - handing it to Manchester United.
THE MATCH
First Half
GOAL !!! Arseanl 1 - 0 Leeds United Dennis Bergkamp put Pires clear and he took the ball in his stride, opened his body in order to bend a beautiful, rapid-fire shot around the desperate dive of Leeds keeper Paul Robinson and high into the corner of the net. It was typical of the Dutch master's perception and the French midfielder's finishing, for his 18th goal of the season. It was also the perfect start for any pre-games nerves. Arsenal went into this game with a seven-point lead into the Premiership, but Leeds had won at Highbury in similar circumstances almost a year ago. If going behind so early stunned Leeds they tried not to show it, as the Whites began passing the ball around trying to find an opening. Alan Smith and Mark Viduka had half-chances as Arsenal's defence looked vulnerable. They forced a succession of corners, but the only nervous moment was when Clichy put a clearance over his own crossbar. Despite leading, it was obvious the Gunners had to lift the tempo - and they did.
GOAL !!! Arsenal 2 - 0 Leeds United In the 27th minute, Gilberto slid a pass forward for Henry to race clear. The Leeds defence tried to spring the offside trap but it didn't work. Henry's 35th goal of the season came after he tucked his shot under Robinson. Having responded well once, Leeds could not rise to the challenge again, and Arsenal started to dominate. With just half an hour played, Leeds looked like a beaten team. Another classy move saw Bergkamp work his way into the box and when Duberry handled the ball, up stepped Henry to cheekily chip the resulting spot-kick down the middle of Robinson's goal.
It was Henry's 36th of the season! In the 33rd minute, Bergkamp exchanged passes with Wiltord on the edge of the area and Michael Duberry handled Bergkamp's flick. Referee Dermot Gallagher pointed to the spot and Henry cheekily clipped his spot-kick over Robinson. It could have been worse for Leeds before half time. Seven minutes before the break, Patrick Vieira thumped a header wide of the post from Wiltord's cross as Arsenal threatened once more. The Gunners were already playing possession football as the minutes ticked away to half time.
Second Half Gilberto again threaded a pass through to Henry and he coolly slotted the ball past Robinson for his 28th Premiership goal of a remarkable campaign.
Five minutes after the half time break, even the most remote semblance of a comeback by Leeds was wiped out. Wiltord prodded the ball to Henry, who again raced clear and guided a shot past Robinson. It was Henry's hat trick, his 28th goal in the Premiership this season and his 149th goal for the club. Henry also scored three in the last home game against Liverpool on Good Friday. Tonight's achievement was the first back-to-back Highbury hat trick since Doug Lishman did the same thing in November 1951. Moments later it was Sylvain Wiltord's turn to test the Leeds defence, but after cutting inside a bewildered Michael Duberry he lashed his right-foot shot wide. No matter, the job fell for Henry to make it five goals for the Gunners and his 'double hat trick'! (Yes 4, not 6 constitutes a double hat trick - this is soccer! What do you expect, basketball scores?)
In the 67th minute, Pires was just outside the centre circle when he flicked the ball into Henry's path up on the halfway line. Henry used all of his abundant pace as he raced at the heart of the Leeds defence and sprinted between two defenders. Even after a trip from Kelly, Henry stayed on his feet to beat the advancing Robinson yet again, and planted home his fourth of the night. It was the first time an Arsenal player scored a double hat trick since Ian Wright against Everton on December 21, 1991. Make no mistake about the 26-year-old Thierry Henry, Arsenal fans are watching historic football at the moment from a player who has few equals - let alone anyone better - anywhere in the world! Wiltord should have scored soon afterwards and Bergkamp tried to drift a chip over Robinson. Jose Antonio Reyes came on for Bergkamp and immediately tried to get in on the act, seeing a right-foot shot deflected over, and Sol Campbell headed the resulting corner wide. Henry sent Reyes through in injury time but Robinson made a brilliant save at the young Spanish international's feet to deny him his first league goal in England. Towards the end Reyes pushed a ball through for Henry, who slid a low left-foot shot wide of the post. It proved he was human after all. What a performance!
THE AFTERMATH He spoke in equally glowing terms of Thierry Henry, to say, "His finishing was perfect. The timing of his finishing is great because he always gets the goalkeeper on the move. The first goal was great too with Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires. But it's difficult to find new words for Thierry each time. The best thing to do is just watch him. I don't think there is a better striker but I'm not the most objective. His finishing gets better and better and in recent games he has taken up a more central position. For a while he was systematically going wide but he is playing more centrally now." "We have said so much about Henry that it's difficult to add something more. He's certainly one of the top three strikers in the world," said Wenger. "Everybody knows about him, and better than talking about him is watching him. When the team's on the same wavelength and he is playing with his power and pace it's just a joy to watch." And on comparisons with Ian Wright, Wenger said, "I think that Wright was more obsessed by goals but Thierry is already close to him and he is coming into his best years now. The record would mean a lot to him, who doesn't want to make history?" Wenger also remarked about Leeds United, "They could have played deep but they played high and decided to go for it. If they had scored the first goal they could have made it difficult for us. I thought that they were dangerous up front, and Alan Smith was excellent, he never stopped working." And of his on-loan midfielder, Jermaine Pennant, he said, "I thought he had a difficult game tonight because he was up against a very good full-back. I felt that Gael Clichy was excellent and their contest was a close one." Henry preferred to praise his teammates for their roles in the five-star performance. "The boys played some great balls for me. I still have to put them in but it's always a pleasure to play with quality players alongside you. What can I put that performance down to? Commitment and desire. If you have quality and ability it doesn't matter. Unless you have desire and commitment and go out and express yourself, you won't get anywhere." Leeds boss Eddie Gray believes Arsenal will be worthy Premiership. "I am disappointed, but they were far superior in every department. They're a top-class side and when you catch them like that you'll struggle," he said. "It was slack defending for the second goal but they looked like they could score at will. Henry is phenomenal. The players are disappointed but there is admiration for Arsenal's display." Gray added, "They play with great flair and they're very pleasing to the eye. Not so much for me today but I enjoy watching them play. It's just disappointing that the result's come at this time and we've just got to pick ourselves up."
NEXT ARSENAL GAMES Arsenal's next match is away to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in a north London derby at 4:05pm (BST) next Sunday 25th April (1:05am Monday, Melbourne time).
Their fixture beyond Sunday's game against Spurs is as follows: - Kick-off times are BST - British Summer Time. For local Melbourne time, add 9 hours. GO GUNNERS !!!
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EPL:
Gunners inch their way to the Championship. April 13th, 2004. Premiership - 4:05pm Sunday 11 April 2004 - St. James' Park - Attendance: 52,141 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 - 0 ARSENAL Half Time: Magpies 0 - 0 Gunners Arsenal were held to a scoreless draw by Newcastle away at St. James' Park to go seven points clear of second-placed Chelsea atop the table with just six matches remaining. Arsène Wenger's champions-in-waiting extended their unbeaten run in the Premiership to a record 32 games this season. The Arsenal manager marvelled at his side's inner strength after the Gunners' inched another step closer to the Premiership title. The result left Newcastle level on points with Liverpool, their main rival for fourth-place and a qualifying place in the Champions League next season, but a place behind on goal difference. Playing their fourth match in nine days, Arsenal had the better chances and strikers Thierry Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes should have scored in the second half. The Gunners created the better opportunities on a difficult pitch and Sylvain Wiltord missed a golden chance when he scuffed a first-half shot wide. Just past the hour Thierry Henry also hit the post after Edu's pass unlocked the Newcastle offside trap. Newcastle's best effort was Craig Bellamy's flick but he was denied by Jens Lehmann's superb save.
THE LEAD-UP This Easter Sunday game was rescheduled so that it's staged midway between both legs of the Magpies' Uefa Cup quarter-final with PSV Eindhoven - a tie that stands 1-1 at the half-way stage. Newcastle have registered just one win in seven corresponding fixtures. That was the 4-2 victory in May 2000 in their last match of that season when Gary Speed got a brace, and Alan Shearer and Andy Griffin one each. They've since drawn two and lost one at home against the Gunners. Arsenal got their title bid back on track with the help of Thierry Henry's timely hat trick in the 4-2 win over Liverpool at Highbury on Good Friday. It was Henry's third treble in the Premiership in the Premiership this season. The win took the Gunners' record breaking unbeaten run from the start of a League season to 31 games and broke Burnley's 83 year old record of 30 successive undefeated matches within an English League season. Arsenal have the chance to stretch their Premiership undefeated run, which includes two games from last season, to 34. That would put them equal second with Leeds in the table for the longest unbeaten sequence in English top-flight football. Nottingham Forest who built a 42-match run - undefeated between November 1977 and December 1978 - hold the record. The Gunners have already 'doubled' the Magpies eight times since they first played in League encounters in 1893. Arsenal last dropped points on the road in the 1-1 draw at Bolton on the Saturday before Christmas. They've not suffered defeat on their Premiership travels in 19 games - which is the equivalent of a complete season - stretching back to the 2-0 loss to Blackburn at Ewood Park on 15 March last year.
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
HEAD TO HEAD at Newcastle
TEAM LINE-UPS
Arsenal Referee: Paul Durkin (Dorset)
THE MATCH Newcastle began brightly with the Magpies' Craig Bellamy prominent. Gary Speed threaded a pass through to Bellamy who found some space between Kolo Touré and Sol Campbell, only to send his shot straight at Lehmann. Bellamy was soon to give the Arsenal goalkeeper a tougher test when he back-heeled Alan Shearer's cross towards the goal, but Lehmann got down quickly to make a wonderful one-handed stop with outstretched fingertips.
Soon after Henry went close with a curling shot. Reyes set up Henry, who was playing after shrugging off a back problem, for a curling right-footed shot from 20 yards, the ball edging wide of the right post. Jose Antonio Reyes then took up the attack for Arsenal, deftly chipping the ball over Jonathan Woodgate before crossing to Edu, who was denied by Olivier Bernard's timely tackle. Edu returned the compliment, releasing Reyes with a well-timed pass but his cross wasn't able to find a teammate. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal's opportunities were rare, with the best coming from Wiltord a minute before the half time interval. Jermaine Jenas misjudged a back-pass to keeper Shay Given and was relieved when Wiltord scuffed a dangerous left-footed shot from the penalty area just wide of the right post. Second Half Newcastle were more positive after the break. Laurent Robert drew a fine save from the Arsenal keeper with a low free-kick in the 50th minute that flew past the Arsenal wall only to be saved by the diving Lehmann. Bernard also hit the side netting after bursting into the box. The second half was evenly matched but Newcastle remained susceptible to Arsenal's rapid counter-attacks.
Reyes also should have scored in the 76th minute with another good chance. Henry floated a cross from the left to Reyes, but his free header six yards was directed straight at Given. Both managers made late tactical changes in an attempt to break the deadlock. Robert Pires came on for Wiltord and Dennis Bergkamp replaced Reyes with less than quarter of an hour left. Kolo Touré might have snatched all three points for Arsenal in stoppage time when he glanced a header narrowly wide from a corner. But it was all to no avail and both teams will have been happy with a share of the points. Full time: Newcastle United 0 - 0 Arsenal.
THE AFTERMATH Wenger added, "It was a very tricky match for us after a heavy week. We responded with a great determination. We didn't give any chances away. We were fantastically well organised and I think we deserved to win this game." Thierry Henry looked to be in some discomfort with a back injury and hit the post after going slightly wider than he wanted in a one-on-one with Magpies keeper Shay Given. But Wenger was full of praise for the Premiership's leading scorer. "I don't know how much pain Thierry Henry had, but I think, like the rest of the team, he gave absolutely everything until the very last second of the game," said Wenger. "He was a little bit unlucky on the chance he had but the pitch played a big part in that. We have a long run going on and this was a big match for us but there are still many games to play." Wenger said remaining unbeaten in the league was not his club's priority. "That is a secondary target for us. Our main one is to finish the season as high as we can," Wenger said. He said left back Ashley Cole was doubtful for Friday's home game with Leeds United due to an ankle injury.
NEXT ARSENAL FIXTURES On Saturday April 24th they play Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane at 3pm BST. GO GUNNERS
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The final whistle went to ensure the Gunners took their place in history. Wenger is right, Arsenal are immortal!
"As long as you believe, then it is possible. It's a fantastic moment. I always had that dream and to fulfill it is marvelous," said Wenger. "I think this is the best title win because we have always been at the top and to lead from the front is difficult and not to lose a game is amazing. These players want to get better and I'm confident they want more."
Arsenal's England defender Sol Campbell (pictured right, parading the Championship trophy before a rapturous Highbury crowd) labeled the season "magical".
Thousands of Arsenal fans took to the streets of London to celebrate as the team paraded the Premiership trophy. Islington was a sea of red and white as fans cheered manager Arsène Wenger and his players in their open-topped bus (see picture left). Wenger and a host of others took to the town hall balcony to make speeches and savour becoming the first team since 1889 to end a season unbeaten. "I feel privileged to share a historical moment in the life of Arsenal with you," said Wenger.
Star striker and player of the season Thierry Henry said, "I'll keep it simple. In season 2003/04, a team went unbeaten in the league. That team is Arsenal."
Wenger, Henry, Vieira and Robert Pires took turns to lift the trophy to the jubilant fans before making their way off the bus to the Town Hall balcony, where several members of the first-team squad made speeches. French coach Wenger was also presented with the Freedom of the Borough of Islington. After the men it was the turn of Arsenal Ladies, who showed off their Women's Premier League crown and FA Cup trophy too!
He polled 87% of the votes cast in the poll by the English Football Writers' Association. Henry's honour comes two weeks after he was voted the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.
Henry (pictured left at Arsenal's London Colney training facility with mentor and Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger) was typically humble with his latest award win.
Arsenal's start was crisp and adventurous, as they gatecrashed Fulham's party in the first 10 minutes, as they took control of the game. To illustrate the point, both Arsenal full backs cut back crosses from the Fulham byline in the opening five minutes.
However, Arsenal can be at their most dangerous when they are pegged back - it gives their strikers the room to exploit their pace. Ljungberg burst up the right and fired low into the box. Van der Sar pushed the ball out in the penalty area but there was no Arsenal player close enough to convert.
Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam and Italian giants AC Milan have also achieved this feat, but Arsène Wenger underlined the scale of the achievement that is now so close for his side. "I don't think the players fully realise what is at stake as there is no history of it happening before. For me it would be something massive," he declared. "There is real history to be made and certainly, football-wise, immortality as I don't think it will be done again. Everybody who has played against English teams realises how difficult the Premiership is. You would get a lot of respect to do that in any big championship. Next Saturday's game is like a final for us. You can always lose a game, even against a team who are already relegated. But we must be focused. There are no regrets when you give everything so we must be fully prepared to achieve that record."
The first half
Yakubu's pace was critical as Matthew Taylor sent a long pass downfield which Kolo Touré managed to deflect. Yakubu reacted quickly to race onto the loose ball inside the penalty area. He clipped a shot towards goal, Lehmann got a touch, but the ball bounced over the line despite Campbell's desperate attempt to clear.
There was no escape for Pompey as Arsenal leveled in their next attack, Reyes volleying home superbly from 18 yards after Henry's cross was only partially cleared. Henry's cross was headed out to the edge of the box and Reyes (pictured right in celebration of his first Premiership goal) lashed a left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
Thierry Henry has scored 150 goals for Arsenal, and heads the race for the Golden Boot award by seven goals from Alan Shearer of Newcastle (29 to 22). See picture right of King Henry I of Highbury before the game with a mascot and his PFA Player of the Year award. In another highlight, Lauren will be making his 150th start for the Gunners.
Dennis Bergkamp's family joined the Highbury party with a banner of their own for the Dutch master - see picture left.
Soon afterwards, Robbie Savage had a kick from a similar distance at the other end that was charged down by Reyes and Henry then blazed over the bar for a second time. Despite these occasional flashes of inspiration it was a lacklustre performance overall.
Tuesday May 4 - away at Portsmouth at Fratton Park at 8:00pm.
Henry's honour was announced late last Sunday, and came just hours after Arsenal clinched the League Championship following a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
The 26-year-old star striker is also a leading player with the France national team in their lead-up to Euro 2004 in Portugal next June where they are favoured to successfully defend their 2000 European Championship win.
2003: Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid) (pictured right)
"We have won it playing stylish football" - Arsène Wenger
The class of Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and Thierry Henry (pictured left) has been well supported by stunning performances from the rest of the players. Dennis Bergkamp has been rejuvenated this season as Arsenal's creative force. Kolo Touré has been outstanding alongside Sol Campbell in central defence. Brazilian midfielder Edu has finally fulfilled the potential that Wenger always insisted he had, and the arrival of the brilliantly talented Jose Antonio Reyes from Spain is a great signpost the future.
Above all else, there has been Thierry Henry (pictured right), a striker coveted by world's most powerful and wealthy football clubs but fiercely loyal to Arsenal and Wenger. If one match was to sum up his season, it was how Henry almost single-handedly engineered the win over Liverpool at Highbury on Good Friday. Disappointed by exits from the FA Cup and Champions League, Chelsea chasing in the Premiership and 2-1 down - Henry stepped up to the plate with yet another goal of the season contender to put Arsenal back in front then completed a hat-trick in the 4-2 win. It was a performance that epitomised Arsenal and Henry's season.
After a Spurs corner that was easily cleared by the Gunners defence, Henry glided down the left to cleverly pass the ball to Dennis Bergkamp. He looked up and spotted Vieira racing into the area. Bergkamp curled his cross into the path of Vieira who slid the ball home past a helpless goalkeeper.
Bergkamp was again the creator, with his vision and well-weight pass that opened-up the Spurs defence on the right as he was able to find Vieira. The Arsenal captain turned the ball into the path of Robert Pires who calmly flicked the ball past Kasey Keller.
It was a day to savour for an Arsenal side who have displayed remarkable mental strength and determination this season to bounce back from the trauma of the late collapse which saw them gift the 2002-03 title to Manchester United.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Arsenal
But the Gunners didn't have to wait long to go ahead - in the sixth minute they were ahead. Wiltord and Bergkamp combined to put Pires through and he sweetly curled the ball beyond Robinson.
A costly mistake by Leeds defender Michael Duberry soon put the result beyond doubt. He attempted to catch Thierry Henry offside as Gilberto slipped the ball through, but Henry was easily on-side and he raced into the box to slot the ball underneath Robinson and double the lead.
GOAL !!! Arsenal 3 - 0 Leeds United
GOAL !!! Arsenal 4 - 0 Leeds United
GOAL !!! Arsenal 5 - 0 Leeds United
The Gunners were playing their fourth game in eight days and took longer to settle, but Thierry Henry gradually brought them into the match. First a well-timed covering tackle by Aaron Hughes denied him {see picture right}.
Just past the hour mark, Edu's long pass found Henry with just Shay Given to beat. Henry deftly sidestepped and rounded the Newcastle goalkeeper but took the ball too wide and his shot hit the post {see picture left}.