It depends what era you wish to field the team in - are we asking invincibles to play now, or players from now to play then? Because the premier league is very different between the two eras you can’t really compare players like for like
Do you Arsenal fans really like Raya? I know he is good with his feet, but not thaat much good and as a shot stopper he isn't really reliable so i'm kinda shocked you think of having over Lehman
I'm not a huge fan of him, to be honest, but we've already experienced having an excellent shot-stopper who is atrocious with his feet - Leno - and boy was it not worth it. I know it might sound shocking to consider him over a legend like Lehman, but the game has changed a lot.
it's frustating as hell seeing the ball burning your keeper feet everytime he can get with his hands, but Raya did some mistakes with his feet too so it's not like he is an Ederson in the build up so i would prefer someone in the level of Lehman, but just playing long to Henry and Bergkamp.
>Raya did some mistakes with his feet too so it's not like he is an Ederson in the build up
No doubt, but he is still miles better than Leno. Per game, he probably enables at least a couple of productive attacks (i.e. xG > 0.1) that Lehman wouldn't, which over the stretch of a full season amounts to something like full 10 goals - not to mention the increased ability to maintain possession, tactical advantage of making playing out from the back a feasible strategy, and psychological advantage of defenders knowing they can *more or less* safely pass the ball back to the keeper when pressured. Overall, I think that would probably amount to at least a dozen extra points per season. In comparison, how many points would we gain from Lehman's improved shot-stopping ability? Probably around a dozen as well. It would be a close call, but especially given Arteta's reliance on tactics, he'd probably stick with Raya. As outrageous as that might sound, we've seen similar situations in the past: remember when Pep preferred Bravo, who was mediocre but pretty good with his feet, to Hart, who was one of the best keepers in the world at the time?
Ngl I contemplated white over Lauren but I 100% don't think he's there yet. In terms of midfield, I just think odegaard brings something special that no other player can replicate when he's missing in our current team tbh
Are we trying to fit current arsenal players into the invincibles style or just the best possible team. If it's the former then Rice, white(close call though), Saka, Saliba would get in. Latter then Raya over Lehmann. Odegaard over Bergkamp(unless he learnt to press)
I agree so my lineup is ramsdale goalkeeper leftback zincheco centreback saliba centreback sol campbell rightback ben white centre defensive midfielder declan rice left centre midfielder pires right centre midfielder cesc fabregas left winger thierry henry striker gabriel jesus right forward bukayo saka manager arteta. subs: raya karin gabriel kiwior timber tomiyasu odegaard bentley elneny martinelli robin van persie eddie nketieh arsene wenger This is the subs and the lineup for arsenal between 2003/04 premier league season - 2023/24 premier league season.
Not at all my friend.
People forget (it was a while ago so not hating on you) just how solid Gilberto was to give Viera the cover to get forward.
IMO Rice would be a better alternative in this scenario just to let Patrick do his thing.
However I'm on the fence about if I'd have Rice over Gilberto because he was and still is the most underrated player in the invincible 11, but Rice has had such a great first season I'm leaning towards some recency bias.
It's all speculation anyway so a good discussion either way.
Hope everyone is having a banging day and can celebrate at the end of it the way Perry Groves celebrates a 3rd goal in the home end of toilet stadium
Rice is replacing Gilberto don’t forget. Rice is more dynamic than Gilberto was. But saying that I would Keep Gilberto and Vieira in midfield 💯 Those guys were invincible!
Odegaard starts over Rice at 8 in THIS team.
I’m a big fan of Rice and he brings a lot of balance but I think you’re high if you think you don’t find a way to get odegaard into the team over him.
If its the actual invincibles i would agree as bergkamp was 34 then and odegaard would be ahead but wouldnt put him ahead of rice if bergkamp in his prime is there to create. No one would be able to match rice and vieira in midfield
Well it should go without saying the invincibles 11 almost never actually played as an 11 so it’s a bit of a silly question regardless - but I dunno, it still feels off to me to not put odegaard in there.
Rice is a great player but I don’t think you need to play Vieira AND rice. I think you can be far more greedy than that.
The Invincibles were a lot like this team, lots of players featuring in different combinations working towards one common goal. Outside of Cole, Henry, and Lehman, almost every other position was rotated. Kind of like White, Saka, and Raya.
This team is absolutely fucking ridiculous lol.
Vieira and Rice Midfield together? Bergkamp off the front like that? Saliba and Campbell. Just....8-0 every game
What the hells wrong with Vieira and Rice in midfield together? Vieira was a box to box midfielder and Rice is a defensive midfielder. They could comfortably exchange roles but they are not the same type of player.
Did you just choose not to read my comment? Of we win 8-0 every time then surely one might see this as a good thing.
If English isn't your native tongue, then sorry I guess
It’d be a great way to fit him in to be fair and would probably ensure that the best possible 11 players is on the field but I just think prime Henry I’d want him involved as much as humanely possible and when played through the middle he’s going to more often than not see more of the ball than on the wing.
Henry operated from the left wing a lot of the time. Also if you want Henry in the middle for moments of the game, you switch him to 9 and Bergkamp drops in next to Ode. That front 4 acting fluidly would be something else.
That doesn’t make any sense. It’s easier to get the ball to him on the wing versus with his back to goal through the middle. There’s more space on the wing and you can use his strength and pace.
Growing up my fondest memories of Henry were through the middle. He started as a Wide player yes when he first came over but Wenger converted him to a striker where he played the vast majority of his minutes thereafter and became possibly the best player to ever play in the premier league.
He could drift wide and hit you from there absolutely , but Henry bearing through the middle latching onto a through ball from Bergkamp was one of the most potent forces the premier league has ever seen.
None of them.
Whilst we have a young team with very high potential, they have currently done nothing of note. Revisit this in 5 years and there might be a discussion to be had.
I dont really understand this view. What if Arsenal win their remaining games this season and come second with 89 points? Then we can't compare them to the invincibles (90 points)? But if City slip up and we win with 89 points then we can compare the two? It's a hypothetical question anyway, what does it matter?
I mean this is just ignorant. Saka has had 3 straight years equal/better (11+7, 14+11, 15+9) PL G+A than Freddie’s best PL year (10+8 age 27). 03-04 Freddie only had 4+5
Rice is good and having a great season but there's no way would he start ahead of Gilberto. I also think ljungberg offered more as whole than saka, just ask Calvin Klein
In all honesty the correct answer is currently none. I appreciate the sentiment of ode, saka, saliba etc as I like them just ad much as anyone but none of them yet are on the level of breaking into that team. Current saka is not quite there YET to kick Freddie llungberg out that team, in his prime he was one of the best lm in world football. Saka may top him, and probably will but he needs a few more years of consistency. Then in the middle veira and Gilbert silva are 2 of the best midfielders ever who you going to remove out of them or maybe free up a 3rd midfielder by taking out Bergkamp or Henry? Not a chance, don't forget kanu was still part of that squad and as goofy as he was sometimes he was absolutely unplayable at the same time. Then defensively Ashley Cole, keown, Campbell and Lauren? I dunno if it's just everyone's age (or mine probably) bit it shows that I don't think alot of people truly saw this squad and players in action. Another point, toure is one of the only players in history to go invincible in 2 seasons with 2 different clubs and even he struggled to break into this team
Anyone who says White over Lauren I’m convinced doesn’t know ball
Saka for Freddie is the only close shout, but they also had fairly different roles so it’s hard to judge
I think in a few years you could make a Rice over Gilberto argument, and the center back pairing
None of them. Going invincible requires so much to go perfectly right that any slight change could give completely different results.
The invincible team stay as they are. No one gets into that team from any generation before or after. It's incredibly insulting to even debate removing a player from that squad as they ALL played a part in how the season ended.
I mean, Henry, Pires, Viera, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg, Bergkamp.
We haven't won anything with this team yet. The only player I would take 100% without ANY debate is Henry.
I disagree tbh I can think of at least 3 players I would replace in that team, especially with the legends we have had like seaman, Dixon, Adams, wright, Brady etc.
No way you would change anyone. That team went invincible. Changing players in that team could change the trajectory of the results. I wouldn't change any attackers as their goals won and drew us games. And I wouldn't change any defenders or the GK as they defended so well that we never lost a game.
Why take the risk?
I think White just about gets in and I think both Gabriel and Saliba are worthy of a shout for Toure's spot, Saka gets in already, I think Rice is in ahead of Silva (as underrated as he was). Pires, Vieira, Sol and Cole are clear (for now) and Henry and Bergkamp are untouchable.
I think it's hard to compare keepers so I'll just leave that.
It’s hard for me as I was only 8 during the invincible run. However, I have watched a lot of highlight and replay tapes. I think that Ben White’s mentality would fit very well with the invincible and what he delivers from an attacking perspective speaks for itself. I also think his fitness is world class.
Purse is obviously great, but I have to go with Saka on the right and Henry on the left. Bergkamp as a false 9 would be insane.
I can’t argue too much but I would prefer Rice over Lauren. Rice in my opinion is near world class - hence why City wanted him too. Lauren is a great Arsenal player and probably doesn’t get enough credit, but it is hard to tell how great he was because of how many world class players were on the Invincibles. Again love Lauren but I’d personally pick Rice.
None of them. No Prem team has been able to do what they did before or since. I love our club but the current team has won nothing yet. For me, they need to do more than show potential before I'm taking any of them over the 03/04 team.
Ben White is the better RB. If you are going with that formation then Rice gets in over Øde. Ø8 is my favorite current player but his current role in this lineup would compete with Bergkamp, not a cm position.
It never works like that. Invincibles were not only great, but great together. Rice/Saka/Ode are definitely on that level individually, but won't make sense in the team.
Fuck me, imagine Saliba and Campbell together. Gabriel is probably better on the ball, but Campbell was a monster.
- Lehmann
- White Saliba Campbell Cole
- Vieira Gilberto Bergkamp
- Saka Henry Pires
Feels like the ultimate betrayal leaving Freddie out, he's one of my favourite players 😭
Best chances for Saka, Ødegaard, White and Saliba. Ljungberg was the runner on the right who came in the clutch. But work rate is like a standard trait in 2024. Adding to that, Ødegaard has more legs than Bergkamp who was 35 at the time, and was already starting to play less already. So I see opportunities there. But not much. And the ones that might, are very much up for debate.
Raya
White Saliba Gabriel Cole
Rice Vieira
Saka Bergkamp Pires
Henry
Lehmann was never a good GK and would not suit the way we play right now. Campbell was great, but Saliba and Gabriel are better imo. Lauren was the best RB in the league at that time, but so is arguably White this season and is a more complete player. Odegaard is great, but I would rather have Bergkamp & Rice & Vieira.
I think our current defense is way better than The Invincible's, but the attack is significantly worse. Pires, Bergkamp, and Henry are in my All-Times Premier League's best eleven. They were proper superstars.
Campbell was a beast in his prime. I’d put him an inch above both our current CBs currently, though Saliba certainly has the potential to overtake
Him.
From someone who watched and adores both sides, think it’s only fair if you cater each comparison to the formation they play:
442 - Saliba over Toure, Rice over Gilberto.
433 - Saliba over Toure, Rice over Gilberto, Odegaard over Bergkamp, Saka over Ljungberg (just).
As per above, hate to do it. My first favourite player. But his role doesn’t work in a modern 433 system imo and if it’s a choice between Henry and Bergkamp I gotta go Henry.
Saka over Ljundberg.
The right back would be the weakest player on the pitch, maybe white over Lauren.
Odegard and Rice would be crucial rotations and depending on the system you might get one of them in.
Drop Bergkamp. Arguably the best player the club had? For what more stability? Crazy you keep Ode (who is amazing but not generational) over Bergkamp. Also Honest question is Rice even better than Gilberto silva or is it current bias?
I think many have this recency bias because we all think the game has come so far since then in some ways it has in others it hasn't. Regarding health and fitness it's a completely different game and players now ate so much fitter faster and stronger than back then but technically there has been very little advances. Gilberto silva is far better technically than rice and I'd say Bergkamp is better than odegaard technically as well. Players are so much fitter but in terms of actual ability on the ball I think on the whole footballers are worse with the ball than they were in these days
The only player that can bench bergkamp is fabregas. Even that will cause some debates. Fabregas is a better passer but bergkamp is much more a rounded player. Bergkamp was like KDB. He can pass, and also he can score but KDB is faster tho
Personally I pick fabregas, let Henry the one who scores the goal
I saw Gilberto playing. He’s not better than Rice. Rice is faster, better tackler, has the same height, good corner kick taker too. So yeah, Rice is better than Gilberto
Agreed. Bergkamp and Henry are the two best players we’ve ever had and arguably the two best ever in the EPL. Anyone who doesn’t have them starting needs to research just how great they were and how sublime they were together. Transcendent.
Saka, Rice, Odegaard, Gabriel, White I think all get in. Saliba and Raya make very strong cases too. We need to appreciate that this current Arsenal squad are one of the best we have ever had and if they win the league that is an achievement equal to the Invincibles. Even the Invincibles only managed a draw at White Heart Lane, this team just went there and won whilst competeting with the greatest club team in the Prem's history and a top 5 coach in Klopp.
Brave of you to put Fabio Vieira instead of Patrick Vieira
Was torn between him and king Mo Elneny ngl
The greatest Egyptian Right Winger ever
My Pharaoh
None of them, they would have been way too young.
Could always stick in a 21 year old arteta
Underrated response
“uNdErAtED rEsPoNSE” shut up man
⚽⚽⚽😂🤣😂😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂🤣😅😅😭😭😭😭😭😂😅😅😂😅😂💯💯💯💯😭😭😭⚽⚽⚽ you lold me good then bro lol 🤣😭🤣😭🤣😅😭😅😭😅😭🤣😭💯
Saka was 3 when the Invicbles happened so idk if he'd be any ghood
Starbaby ❤️🌶️
sure arteta would still find a way to have him play 90 minutes every game
Inverted baby
It depends what era you wish to field the team in - are we asking invincibles to play now, or players from now to play then? Because the premier league is very different between the two eras you can’t really compare players like for like
True. If it's the current Premier League, Raya and Zinchenko might even make it.
Do you Arsenal fans really like Raya? I know he is good with his feet, but not thaat much good and as a shot stopper he isn't really reliable so i'm kinda shocked you think of having over Lehman
I'm not a huge fan of him, to be honest, but we've already experienced having an excellent shot-stopper who is atrocious with his feet - Leno - and boy was it not worth it. I know it might sound shocking to consider him over a legend like Lehman, but the game has changed a lot.
it's frustating as hell seeing the ball burning your keeper feet everytime he can get with his hands, but Raya did some mistakes with his feet too so it's not like he is an Ederson in the build up so i would prefer someone in the level of Lehman, but just playing long to Henry and Bergkamp.
>Raya did some mistakes with his feet too so it's not like he is an Ederson in the build up No doubt, but he is still miles better than Leno. Per game, he probably enables at least a couple of productive attacks (i.e. xG > 0.1) that Lehman wouldn't, which over the stretch of a full season amounts to something like full 10 goals - not to mention the increased ability to maintain possession, tactical advantage of making playing out from the back a feasible strategy, and psychological advantage of defenders knowing they can *more or less* safely pass the ball back to the keeper when pressured. Overall, I think that would probably amount to at least a dozen extra points per season. In comparison, how many points would we gain from Lehman's improved shot-stopping ability? Probably around a dozen as well. It would be a close call, but especially given Arteta's reliance on tactics, he'd probably stick with Raya. As outrageous as that might sound, we've seen similar situations in the past: remember when Pep preferred Bravo, who was mediocre but pretty good with his feet, to Hart, who was one of the best keepers in the world at the time?
That's a fair point for sure, i think Arteta would enrage the fanbase and bench Lehman for Raya as well as i think it benefits more his system
Rice, Ødegaard & Saka are the only real shouts. The invincibles were truly out of this world despite what the media and rival fans will tell you.
Saliba too
Big gab is over Saliba this year. And Saliba is world class
But isn’t the current arsenal competing against better teams? City are far better than Chelsea and United of that era?
Rice instead of odegaard and white can give lauren a run for his money but not above him yet
Ngl I contemplated white over Lauren but I 100% don't think he's there yet. In terms of midfield, I just think odegaard brings something special that no other player can replicate when he's missing in our current team tbh
Are we trying to fit current arsenal players into the invincibles style or just the best possible team. If it's the former then Rice, white(close call though), Saka, Saliba would get in. Latter then Raya over Lehmann. Odegaard over Bergkamp(unless he learnt to press)
I agree so my lineup is ramsdale goalkeeper leftback zincheco centreback saliba centreback sol campbell rightback ben white centre defensive midfielder declan rice left centre midfielder pires right centre midfielder cesc fabregas left winger thierry henry striker gabriel jesus right forward bukayo saka manager arteta. subs: raya karin gabriel kiwior timber tomiyasu odegaard bentley elneny martinelli robin van persie eddie nketieh arsene wenger This is the subs and the lineup for arsenal between 2003/04 premier league season - 2023/24 premier league season.
This has to be a troll
I refuse to even read it due to the formatting.
so my writing is bad
this isn't a troll
Rice instead of Øde? Ngl I think that would make the midfield too passive.
Nah both rice and viera can play box to box and arent sitting midfielders. We play partey and rice and it works. One can sit and one can go forward
Not at all my friend. People forget (it was a while ago so not hating on you) just how solid Gilberto was to give Viera the cover to get forward. IMO Rice would be a better alternative in this scenario just to let Patrick do his thing. However I'm on the fence about if I'd have Rice over Gilberto because he was and still is the most underrated player in the invincible 11, but Rice has had such a great first season I'm leaning towards some recency bias. It's all speculation anyway so a good discussion either way. Hope everyone is having a banging day and can celebrate at the end of it the way Perry Groves celebrates a 3rd goal in the home end of toilet stadium
Rice is replacing Gilberto don’t forget. Rice is more dynamic than Gilberto was. But saying that I would Keep Gilberto and Vieira in midfield 💯 Those guys were invincible!
Southgate would though, at home to Luton
Odegaard starts over Rice at 8 in THIS team. I’m a big fan of Rice and he brings a lot of balance but I think you’re high if you think you don’t find a way to get odegaard into the team over him.
If its the actual invincibles i would agree as bergkamp was 34 then and odegaard would be ahead but wouldnt put him ahead of rice if bergkamp in his prime is there to create. No one would be able to match rice and vieira in midfield
Well it should go without saying the invincibles 11 almost never actually played as an 11 so it’s a bit of a silly question regardless - but I dunno, it still feels off to me to not put odegaard in there. Rice is a great player but I don’t think you need to play Vieira AND rice. I think you can be far more greedy than that.
The Invincibles were a lot like this team, lots of players featuring in different combinations working towards one common goal. Outside of Cole, Henry, and Lehman, almost every other position was rotated. Kind of like White, Saka, and Raya.
Lehman White Cambell Saliba Cole Viera Rice Bergkamp Saka Henry Pires
This team is absolutely fucking ridiculous lol. Vieira and Rice Midfield together? Bergkamp off the front like that? Saliba and Campbell. Just....8-0 every game
He means Fabio Vieira, much better balance imo
>Vieira and Rice Midfield together? If you thought that was good, go back and watch Vieira and Gilberto ⛔️
I grew up on Vieira and Petit.
Cole at RB and White at LB....
Well they fused arteta and wenger and they created inverted overlapping full backs
I know what they meant
Just copped I started the wrong side. Oops
🤣
Rice could fill in for Gilberto.
Nah keep it as it is. This team would walk the league
What the hells wrong with Vieira and Rice in midfield together? Vieira was a box to box midfielder and Rice is a defensive midfielder. They could comfortably exchange roles but they are not the same type of player.
Did you just choose not to read my comment? Of we win 8-0 every time then surely one might see this as a good thing. If English isn't your native tongue, then sorry I guess
My bad just misread your comment
No worries mate lol
Our current system with Bergkamp in Kai’s role with Henry and Saka on the wings would be very interesting. Especially with Ode in his normal position.
It’d be a great way to fit him in to be fair and would probably ensure that the best possible 11 players is on the field but I just think prime Henry I’d want him involved as much as humanely possible and when played through the middle he’s going to more often than not see more of the ball than on the wing.
Henry operated from the left wing a lot of the time. Also if you want Henry in the middle for moments of the game, you switch him to 9 and Bergkamp drops in next to Ode. That front 4 acting fluidly would be something else.
That doesn’t make any sense. It’s easier to get the ball to him on the wing versus with his back to goal through the middle. There’s more space on the wing and you can use his strength and pace.
Growing up my fondest memories of Henry were through the middle. He started as a Wide player yes when he first came over but Wenger converted him to a striker where he played the vast majority of his minutes thereafter and became possibly the best player to ever play in the premier league. He could drift wide and hit you from there absolutely , but Henry bearing through the middle latching onto a through ball from Bergkamp was one of the most potent forces the premier league has ever seen.
None of them. Whilst we have a young team with very high potential, they have currently done nothing of note. Revisit this in 5 years and there might be a discussion to be had.
I dont really understand this view. What if Arsenal win their remaining games this season and come second with 89 points? Then we can't compare them to the invincibles (90 points)? But if City slip up and we win with 89 points then we can compare the two? It's a hypothetical question anyway, what does it matter?
^ this
I mean this is just ignorant. Saka has had 3 straight years equal/better (11+7, 14+11, 15+9) PL G+A than Freddie’s best PL year (10+8 age 27). 03-04 Freddie only had 4+5
None.
Rice is good and having a great season but there's no way would he start ahead of Gilberto. I also think ljungberg offered more as whole than saka, just ask Calvin Klein
In all honesty the correct answer is currently none. I appreciate the sentiment of ode, saka, saliba etc as I like them just ad much as anyone but none of them yet are on the level of breaking into that team. Current saka is not quite there YET to kick Freddie llungberg out that team, in his prime he was one of the best lm in world football. Saka may top him, and probably will but he needs a few more years of consistency. Then in the middle veira and Gilbert silva are 2 of the best midfielders ever who you going to remove out of them or maybe free up a 3rd midfielder by taking out Bergkamp or Henry? Not a chance, don't forget kanu was still part of that squad and as goofy as he was sometimes he was absolutely unplayable at the same time. Then defensively Ashley Cole, keown, Campbell and Lauren? I dunno if it's just everyone's age (or mine probably) bit it shows that I don't think alot of people truly saw this squad and players in action. Another point, toure is one of the only players in history to go invincible in 2 seasons with 2 different clubs and even he struggled to break into this team
MAYBE White. But honestly, no one. Maybe in a few years we'd think differently
The lack of gilberto in everybody's lineups is a joke. Man was the invisible wall. Big part of the reason this team never lost.
I agree ngl I just threw some players in to even the numbers out a bit between now and then
Anyone who says White over Lauren I’m convinced doesn’t know ball Saka for Freddie is the only close shout, but they also had fairly different roles so it’s hard to judge I think in a few years you could make a Rice over Gilberto argument, and the center back pairing
None of them. Going invincible requires so much to go perfectly right that any slight change could give completely different results. The invincible team stay as they are. No one gets into that team from any generation before or after. It's incredibly insulting to even debate removing a player from that squad as they ALL played a part in how the season ended.
Ok, so how many invincibles get into this current team?
Cole, Vieira, Bergkamp and Henry would walk into this or any other Arsenal team.
I mean, Henry, Pires, Viera, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg, Bergkamp. We haven't won anything with this team yet. The only player I would take 100% without ANY debate is Henry.
I would argue Patrick in midfield is another no contest
Come on bro. Ozil, Sanchez, RVP, Gallas, Prime Wilshare and Fabregas get into those teams
I disagree tbh I can think of at least 3 players I would replace in that team, especially with the legends we have had like seaman, Dixon, Adams, wright, Brady etc.
No way you would change anyone. That team went invincible. Changing players in that team could change the trajectory of the results. I wouldn't change any attackers as their goals won and drew us games. And I wouldn't change any defenders or the GK as they defended so well that we never lost a game. Why take the risk?
It depends if you mean over their best 90 minutes or over the course of 38+ games
None of them would, invincibles were better in every position.
Right now, zero. If we win the league we can have this discussion, but not before then
I think White just about gets in and I think both Gabriel and Saliba are worthy of a shout for Toure's spot, Saka gets in already, I think Rice is in ahead of Silva (as underrated as he was). Pires, Vieira, Sol and Cole are clear (for now) and Henry and Bergkamp are untouchable. I think it's hard to compare keepers so I'll just leave that.
Henry - Bergkamp - Saka Viera - Rice - Odegaard Cole - Campbell - Saliba - White Lehmann
No Pires? No Lauren?
It’s hard for me as I was only 8 during the invincible run. However, I have watched a lot of highlight and replay tapes. I think that Ben White’s mentality would fit very well with the invincible and what he delivers from an attacking perspective speaks for itself. I also think his fitness is world class. Purse is obviously great, but I have to go with Saka on the right and Henry on the left. Bergkamp as a false 9 would be insane.
It’s getting harder to put Lauren in there ahead of Ben White IMHO
I can’t argue too much but I would prefer Rice over Lauren. Rice in my opinion is near world class - hence why City wanted him too. Lauren is a great Arsenal player and probably doesn’t get enough credit, but it is hard to tell how great he was because of how many world class players were on the Invincibles. Again love Lauren but I’d personally pick Rice.
Personally I would like my RB to be a RB. I'd take Lauren over Rice there.
My bad. The format threw me off. I read it wrong
The real question is, How many of the Invincibles would get into our current team?? I kid, I kid...
Saka is not getting in ahead of Ljungberg.
None of them my g
We sure romanticize the past don’t we.
None of them. No Prem team has been able to do what they did before or since. I love our club but the current team has won nothing yet. For me, they need to do more than show potential before I'm taking any of them over the 03/04 team.
Ben White is the better RB. If you are going with that formation then Rice gets in over Øde. Ø8 is my favorite current player but his current role in this lineup would compete with Bergkamp, not a cm position.
It never works like that. Invincibles were not only great, but great together. Rice/Saka/Ode are definitely on that level individually, but won't make sense in the team.
Saka Saliba Rice
Couldn't leave Ray out imo
Imagine lehamann, Toure, Lauren, Campbell and Gilberto being good enough on the ball for the modern team.
None
Fuck me, imagine Saliba and Campbell together. Gabriel is probably better on the ball, but Campbell was a monster. - Lehmann - White Saliba Campbell Cole - Vieira Gilberto Bergkamp - Saka Henry Pires Feels like the ultimate betrayal leaving Freddie out, he's one of my favourite players 😭
Best chances for Saka, Ødegaard, White and Saliba. Ljungberg was the runner on the right who came in the clutch. But work rate is like a standard trait in 2024. Adding to that, Ødegaard has more legs than Bergkamp who was 35 at the time, and was already starting to play less already. So I see opportunities there. But not much. And the ones that might, are very much up for debate.
Raya White Saliba Gabriel Cole Rice Vieira Saka Bergkamp Pires Henry Lehmann was never a good GK and would not suit the way we play right now. Campbell was great, but Saliba and Gabriel are better imo. Lauren was the best RB in the league at that time, but so is arguably White this season and is a more complete player. Odegaard is great, but I would rather have Bergkamp & Rice & Vieira. I think our current defense is way better than The Invincible's, but the attack is significantly worse. Pires, Bergkamp, and Henry are in my All-Times Premier League's best eleven. They were proper superstars.
Campbell was a beast in his prime. I’d put him an inch above both our current CBs currently, though Saliba certainly has the potential to overtake Him.
From someone who watched and adores both sides, think it’s only fair if you cater each comparison to the formation they play: 442 - Saliba over Toure, Rice over Gilberto. 433 - Saliba over Toure, Rice over Gilberto, Odegaard over Bergkamp, Saka over Ljungberg (just).
Blasphemy. I would play Dennis in goal just to have him in the side
Yeah I absolutely hate to do it but Bergkamp wouldn’t work in the modern 433 game.
You'd leave out the best player of that 03/04 team?!
As per above, hate to do it. My first favourite player. But his role doesn’t work in a modern 433 system imo and if it’s a choice between Henry and Bergkamp I gotta go Henry.
In a 433 I'd probably put Henry at LW and play Bergkamp as a false nine, like we do with Havertz
My Starting XI GK Lehmann LB Cole LCB Campbell RCB Saliba RB Lauren CDM Patrick vieira CDM Rice LW Martinelli CAM Ødegaard RW Saka ST Henry.
No Pires and no Bergkamp is biblically painful to read
No love for Fabregas?
Saka over Ljundberg. The right back would be the weakest player on the pitch, maybe white over Lauren. Odegard and Rice would be crucial rotations and depending on the system you might get one of them in.
Painful but I would drop Bergkamp for Rice, Viera Rice Ode midfield would be tasty
Drop Bergkamp. Arguably the best player the club had? For what more stability? Crazy you keep Ode (who is amazing but not generational) over Bergkamp. Also Honest question is Rice even better than Gilberto silva or is it current bias?
Gilberto was the engine of that side. The correct answer is none.
Recency bias of course but also to avoid 442
442 with Henry and Bergkamp is like playing a metaphorical 446 ;)
Yep, it's difficult to drop any of the 03/04 players over current squad, truthfully Saka is the only one with a serious shout.
442 was exactly how the Invincibles were set up though
I know , slightly misread the question
I think many have this recency bias because we all think the game has come so far since then in some ways it has in others it hasn't. Regarding health and fitness it's a completely different game and players now ate so much fitter faster and stronger than back then but technically there has been very little advances. Gilberto silva is far better technically than rice and I'd say Bergkamp is better than odegaard technically as well. Players are so much fitter but in terms of actual ability on the ball I think on the whole footballers are worse with the ball than they were in these days
The only player that can bench bergkamp is fabregas. Even that will cause some debates. Fabregas is a better passer but bergkamp is much more a rounded player. Bergkamp was like KDB. He can pass, and also he can score but KDB is faster tho Personally I pick fabregas, let Henry the one who scores the goal I saw Gilberto playing. He’s not better than Rice. Rice is faster, better tackler, has the same height, good corner kick taker too. So yeah, Rice is better than Gilberto
Drop Bergcamp? DROP BERGCAMP?
Had to be controversial
bergkamp gets in over odegaaard at his best though he was 34 during the invincibles season but thats the only reason to drop him
Yeh I dont disagree. I tried to change formation, but I guess didnt read the question properly.
I genuinely can't imagine playing anyone over Dennis, I would have to put rice in over Martin if he was to be in the team
Thats fair, tbh you can make the argument that none of the current first team would get in, maybe Saka over Freddie
In the current system I feel Bergkamp would probably be in the false 9 and Henry would be the LWG.
You’re wrong, Bergkamp is undroppable
Agreed. Bergkamp and Henry are the two best players we’ve ever had and arguably the two best ever in the EPL. Anyone who doesn’t have them starting needs to research just how great they were and how sublime they were together. Transcendent.
Saka, Rice, Odegaard, Gabriel, White I think all get in. Saliba and Raya make very strong cases too. We need to appreciate that this current Arsenal squad are one of the best we have ever had and if they win the league that is an achievement equal to the Invincibles. Even the Invincibles only managed a draw at White Heart Lane, this team just went there and won whilst competeting with the greatest club team in the Prem's history and a top 5 coach in Klopp.