Arsenal's Invincibles - Where Are They Now?

What became of the undefeated?

Arsenal's Thierry Henry celebrates his goal against Norwich City with Dennis Bergkamp
EMPICS/EMPICS Sport

Were the invincible Arsenal side of 2003/04 was the best team of the Premier League era? 

The North Londoners went 49 league games unbeaten, and became the first and only side in Premier League history to go a whole 38 game season without losing once. They were also Premier League champions that season, with 30 goals from Thierry Henry firing The Gunners to a tally of 90 points - 11 points clear of second placed Chelsea. 

The streak came to an end against Alex Ferguson's Manchester United the following season in a 2-0 loss, and the North London club fell one game short of being 50 unbeaten. 

The team was renowned for their free-flowing, attacking football: players such as Robert Pires, Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Fredrik Ljungberg were allowed to express themselves on the pitch, with both full-backs also encouraged to join in with attacking moves. The team was also protected by a strong spine, with Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure at centre-back being shielded by central midfielders Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira. 

But what happened to the Arsenal Invincibles? What are they doing to make ends meet? How many of them are still playing professional football?

11. Jens Lehmann

Arsenal's Thierry Henry celebrates his goal against Norwich City with Dennis Bergkamp
SANG TAN/AP/Press ASSOCIATION Images

Lehmann arrived at Arsenal for just £1.5m in 2003 as David Seaman's replacement between the sticks, and became an Invincible in his first year. Though prone to the occasional mistake, the German made 54 appearances in his debut season and collected a Premier League winners medal at the end of it.  

After Arsenal

The notoriously temperamental stopper went on to play professional football until 2011, retiring after one appearance upon his return to Arsenal after a spell with VfB Stuttgart.

At the age of 45, Lehmann is now an ambassador for several charities including Stiftung Jugendfußball, a youth footballing charity founded by compatriot Jurgen Klinsmann. He's also a TV pundit/expert for German channel RTL, mostly covering the German national team's games. 

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Contributor

Journalism student hopping between London and the North-East. Boxing enthusiast and Football Manager addict. Was diagnosed with supporting Sunderland AFC as a child.