With the new season nearly upon us, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to reminisce about classic seasons of the past. Whereas recent seasons have barely been remotely 'successful' in the Premier League, they nevertheless weren't without their good moments themselves, though considering the campaigns in here, it is clear that Gooners are missing something in the entertainment department nowadays.
5: 1996/97
What better place to start than the beginning of 'Le Revolution'? Relative unknown Arsene Wenger is picked out by David Dein to lead Arsenal to the next level. He would prove himself in the following year, but his debut season was the stepping stone that created the first Arsenal double-winning team in nearly 30 years. The brand of football that Wenger introduced made Arsenal into one of the most attractive teams in the country, making his appointment not just important for the Club, but for the sport in general.
4: 1997/98
This may be higher had I been a Gooner as a toddler but, unfortunately, I had lived through the epic double-winning campaign of '98 unaware of the truly remarkable feats achieved by Adams and co. that particular year. To break United's dominance of the Premier League is one thing, but to do the double over them and then go on to win the actual double proved the monumental success that Wenger had been for the team. And it doesn't matter how old you are; every Gooner still gets goosebumps when they hear Martin Tyler's "WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?!" from the day we clinched our maiden Premier League crown.
3: 2005/06
We won no trophies this particular year; alas, it was the first of eight barren attempts for silverware to date. It sure felt like we won something that season, though. To clinch Champions League football by leapfrogging the Enemy on the final day, coinciding with the farewell to Highbury celebrations was as if a Hollywood screenwriter had been hired for the day. Our first ever Champions League Final was to follow, however there was to be no perfect start to usher in the new stadium, but the memories of what has turned out to be a defining campaign still live on.
2: 2001/02
Two doubles in four years? Surely not. After an unprecedented trio of United titles, Wenger fought back with the greatest free signing of all time of Sol Campbell (from you know who) and the rest is history. We became the first team to go unbeaten the entire league season on our travels and sealed at the home of the (outgoing) champions; cuing another immortal "WILTOOOOOOOOOOOORD!" cry from Mr. Tyler. And who could forget the terrific Ray Parlour screamer that secured the double...
1: 2003/04
Well, what else could it be? I'm sure the suspense wasn't killing you. Without question, the unbeaten season was and is most exceptional achievement, in Arsenal's, England's, and football's history. I know Juventus have repeated the run (to a T - 49 games also) though in Serie A, it's nowhere near as competitive. Not only the achievement alone, but the team Arsenal could boast that year was phenomenal. Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira all at the peak of their careers. Add to that the mere presences of experience in Bergkamp and Keown to help this historic team on their way to glory, we arguably had the greatest Premier League side the country had ever seen.
A decade on, the Arsenal players of today will hopefully be looking to take inspiration from their predecessors (not just the away kit) and bring back the glory days to North London. Success on this scale may be a bridge too far for the Gunners this year, but putting the Club back on the path to greatness with a little motivation from our past successes will surely see us finally heading back in the right direction.
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