I thought as we haven’t any Arsenal games until we play Manchester City on Easter Sunday I’d have a bit of fun by looking at the present team who in my opinion are the best side we’ve had since the Invincibles and comparing the two sides and seeing how many of the present team I think would get into the Invincibles team.
Starting with the keeper obviously the role has changed so much from 20 years ago. Jens Lehmann did not play out from the back as David Raya does today and may have struggled to adapt as Petr Cech did. But in every other respect our mad German has the edge over Raya. Lehmann was brilliant at commanding his area and marshalling the defenders letting them know in no uncertain terms what he demanded from them. The only flew in his game was his temperament. But I am still opting for Jens Lehmann as my goalkeeper.
Right Back is one of the hardest choices to make. Lauren was fantastic for us. Hard as nails and very competitive. Ben White is also ultra-competitive, very consistent and having a brilliant season. F*** Gareth Southgate and his no mark assistant Steve Holland I am choosing Benny Blanco as my Right Back apologies to Ralph.
Left Back is a simple choice as Ashley Cole was the best Left Back in the world at that time, and one of greatest of all time. Gutted he went to Chelsea, but he went on to have a glittering career winning tons of silverware with both the Gunners and Chelsea. None of our current Left Back options come anywhere near to replacing Ashley Cole as my Left Back.
Gabriel and William Saliba make a great partnership complementing each other perfectly as did Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure who were a formidable combination. Sol was so quick and powerful a world class Centre Back and he gets the nod over Gabriel. William Saliba is developing into a World class Centre Back and I am opting for the Frenchman over Kolo. So, it is Sol and Big Willy as my Centre Backs. Not many forwards would relish playing against those two.
Patrick Vieira was a monster and one of the first names I put down when choosing my all-time Arsenal XI. Paddy is also my captain, and he walks into any Arsenal side you care to mention. Gilberto was his partner in midfield. The Wall as he was nicknamed was such a brilliant defensive midfielder and one of the most underrated players in football. But the Arsenal fans knew his worth and he was one of the main reasons we went unbeaten that season. However, Declan Rice is also a wonderful player and improving his game all the time. I think he has few more strings to his bow than Gilberto, so it is Declan and Paddy as my two midfielders.
Moving on to the wide forwards. Freddie was brilliant for us. Our Super Swede was so good at making those perfectly timed runs into the box scoring so many vital goals. Bukayo Saka has developed into one of the best in the business he just keeps getting better and better. He has such a high ceiling is incredibly gifted so although we love you Freddie it is our Star Boy Saka for me at Wide Right.
I love Gabriel Martinelli. He has a magnificent work ethic, never stops running, is rapid and direct with an eye for goal and has quick feet. But he is up against Robert Pires a very different kind of player. Silky and skilful a wonderful footballer with exceptional passing ability and a phenomenal scoring rate for a wide forward. Also, he was a scorer of spectacular goals, and he was a joy to watch. I am sorry Gabby, but it has to be Bobby Pires for me at Wide Left.
I am playing 4-2-4 so I can play with two forwards. It is for that reason that I cannot fit our present captain Martin Odegaard into the team. As much as I love the quality and incredible work rate of our Norwegian superstar who has outstanding ability, I simply had to pick Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry. They are the two best players I have ever seen at Arsenal and none of the current forwards come close to replacing the Iceman or Titi. So, my team would be.
Lehmann
White
Campbell
Saliba
Cole
Vieira (c)
Rice
Saka
Pires
Bergkamp
Henry
I am sure many of you will disagree with me and I would like to see your choices.
Started going to Highbury in ’66. Season ticket holder since ’76. Love The Arsenal. Need I say more?
saka is’nt fit to lace Freddies boots,saka is a good player but massively overrated,and i’m an Arsenal fan.
I’d go with Lauren at right back but agree with the rest. Thought Saka/Freddie was the hardest choice but think Saka has a higher ceiling. We’ll never see a better Arsenal team than the invincibles, between 01-04 they were clearly the best side in Europe. Despite everything they achieved, you have to say that they were underachievers. Never won back to back titles and had more than enough ability to have won a couple of European Cups as well.
I would play 4:2:3:1
Lauren fir White as more solid
Ode replacing Saka
More defensive contributions and his thru balls would be heaven for Henry