The date was the 24th of October 2004. Arsenal were 49 games unbeaten in the league. Manchester United were coming into the game after three straight draws to Birmingham and Middlesbrough in the league and Sparta Prague in the Champions League. Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Wayne Rooney scored in the second half to beat the reigning champions and record breakers. The game changed after the first goal, a penalty from Van Nistlerooy. The decision won by Wayne Rooney on his 19th birthday on what was a contentious decision involving Sol Campbell.
At the end of the season Patrick Vieira was sold and the dismantling of the Invincibles began.
Since then there has been much change. Only one player survives from the Invincibles squad that day, (compared to the five that survive from the United side). A certain Robin Van Persie who may be leaving this summer. Could there now be no survivors of that brilliant side?
It seems Arsenal has become a selling club. However much it denies it. It can no longer match the spending power of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea. And what sometimes seems like a lack of ambition by players that leave, may simply be a lack of competitiveness by the club.
In recent years Arsenal have sold the likes of Ashley Cole, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Patrick Vieira. Even Mathieu Flamini who refused to sign a new contract left the club leaving for Milan wear his wage was increased significantly. You would never see these things happen at clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United, but this was a rare deal wear Manchester United sold their best player. It seems to happen to Arsenal every summer.
When Arsenal spend big it hasn’t really worked. Reyes and Arshavin both had moments of brilliance but both ended up out on loan, winding down their contracts. And it would seem that those financing Arsenal would hope Wenger wont make the same mistakes when spending big again. £10 million seems the magic number for Arsene Wenger. Thierry Henry, Thomas Vermaelen,Laurent Koscielny and Mikel Arteta all clocked in at around that number. As does a certain Lukas Podolski.
It’s obvious the fans want to recreate the “Invincible’s era” again but when Wenger doesn’t spend a huge amount on a player the fans start to question the quality of players he is bringing in. Some may believe that 12 million for Oxlade-Chamberlain, however good he is going to be, could have been better spent on replacing the out going Nasri and Fabregas, with the money made from those transfers added to it.
Despite finishing third last season, the league campaign was seen as a disappointment. But from the ashes of Fabregas and Nasri stepped forward players previously inconsistent and frustrating to Arsenal Fans, Alex Song and Laurent Koscielny. Arsenal must keep hold of players like this and build another side that may once again challenge for the title. Jack Wilshere missed the entire campaign through injury his paring with Alex Song and Mikel Arteta seems like it could be quite exciting. Is there still a need for an expensive Marouane Fellaini or a wage heavy Yann M’Vila when players that are good enough are at the club already?
Arsenal need consistency to achieve success. It has worked with Barcelona, with Manchester United and with Chelsea. If they can keep together the group of players they have and add one or two bits of quality (Podolski already added) this summer then the trophy cabinet at the Emirates wont be bare for long.
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Perhaps it was a substitution in another match of great significance that Arsenal became a selling club. It was wafter Jens was sent off in the CL Final in 2006, and when AW substituted Robert Pires with Almunia.
I had always wondered why he took off Pires instead of any other, including Fabregas or Hleb. If Pires had stayed on, I believe we could have held on.
That substitution showed a streak common with AW – the believe in youth. Perhaps he believed we could play like Ajax in 1995 and win. Sadly it did not turn out that way.
That match was AW’s “last chance saloon”. He knew it was his last chance to win the CL. If we had won, AW may have had the chance to rebuild. And since we did not, we had become the selling club, and AW embarked on selling us a future (which did not materialise), by selling our best players.
I for one would rather have 11 good players who will break a gut for the club, and play as a team ( Newcastle this season is a good example ) . Than have 3-4 prima donnas ( ManCity) at the end of the day it is a team game. Now I know lots will say what about RVP, well just because he has had one injury free exceptional season does not make him in the same position, as he is also a good captain who happened to score lots of goals, who knows next season he might only score 15. This season it may be AOC for example but we do need good solid team players who want to play for their team not just use us as a stepping stone ( Nasri ) to get more money.
Most of these players should think themselves lucky, that they are doing a job that they like, and paid well unlike lots of general workers, who work 40 hours a week doing a job for a year that these guys earn in a week.
KLV Arsenal were leading until the late Barca equaliser in which the winger (was it Larsson?) was offside and not given… that final ruined by the referee not holding on to his whistle for a second when it was obvious Barca were to go 1-0 up. Robbed football fans of what was shaping into a great game of football on the biggest stage.
Yeap – I can remember Shreik’s superman impression as he dived through the air, whilst Sol stepped aside after very little/no contact.
Cheats do prosper!
1) Arsenal ain’t no selling club
2) 3rd is not a dissapointment
3) This season will put the doubters into hibernation
4) Wenger IS a genius
5) Shame you can’t see it coming, coz I’m luvvin it already
6) AC Milan gets whooped, Man CIty gets whooped, Spuds got whooped and Chelsea got whooped, during the biggest transfer in Arsenals history.
7) Nu signings are a warning…
Dave highbury how deluded are you?Arsenal have always been a selling club;remember Brady to Juve? Wenger is the most overated manager in the history of football;his coaching methods and style of management are from the last millenia and next season will finally see his demise.Oh and Poldolski and Giroud are shite.Makes me piss,Arsenal fans getting all exicted about a player they have never seen and pretending to have a deep knowledge of french football.He will be no better than Chamackh,another duff Wenger buy.There are players outside France,Arsene.