Representatives of the Arsenal Invincibles are in talks over playing a friendly match in 2024 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their title win.

arsene wenger premier league gold trophy aresenal manager
Arsene Wenger holding up the gold Premier League trophy awarded for the 2003/04 title-winning season

The Athletic report that representatives of the Arsenal squad that won the 2003/04 Premier League title without losing a game are holding talks over a commemorative friendly game in 2024.

Several of the team’s stars have informally confirmed their willingness to play, and discussions are centred around a match at the Emirates Stadium.

But the same report confirms that planning is in the early stages, and the potential fixture date and opponent haven’t been finalised.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal celebrates winning the Premiership title and defeating Leicsester City 15 May, 2004 at Highbury in London. Arsenal defeated Leicester City 2-1 and finish the season undefeated. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal celebrates winning the Premiership title and defeating Leicsester City 15 May, 2004 at Highbury in London. Arsenal defeated Leicester City 2-1 and finish the season undefeated. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON

Given it’s now been almost two decades since the 2003/04 title win, most of the Invincibles put their playing days behind them long ago.

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Let’s take a look at the players to make the 10 appearances in that title-winning campaign (the minimum appearances to receive a medal at the time) who could be involved in next year’s friendly, and their current ages.

  • Jens Lehmann (54)
  • Ashley Cole (42)
  • Patrick Vieira (47)
  • Martin Keown (57)
  • Robert Pires (50)
  • Freddie Ljungberg (46)
  • Dennis Bergkamp (54)
  • Sylvain Wiltord (49)
  • Lauren (46)
  • Thierry Henry (46)
  • Ray Parlour (50)
  • Edu Gaspar (45)
  • Pascal Cygan (49)
  • Gilberto Silva (47)
  • Gael Clichy (38)
  • Sol Campbell (49)
  • Nwankwo Kanu (47)
  • Kolo Toure (42)
  • Jeremie Aliadiere (40)

Arsene Wenger would surely be the only man who could possibly take to the touchline to lead the team.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal's Sol Campbell (L) and an unidentified teammate hold the Premiership trophy after Arsenal won the Premiership title and defeating Leicsester City 15 May, 2004 at Highbury in London. Arsenal defeated Leicester City 2-1 and finish the season undefeated. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal’s Sol Campbell (L) and Martin Keown hold the Premiership trophy after Arsenal won the Premiership title and defeating Leicsester City 15 May, 2004 at Highbury in London. Arsenal defeated Leicester City 2-1 and finish the season undefeated. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON

You’d hope there will also be some kind of recognition of one player who won’t be involved, the late Jose Antonio Reyes.

Reyes joined midway through the season, and without his equaliser against Portsmouth in May 2004, Arsenal wouldn’t have secured their unbeaten status.

He also scored the winner against Fulham later that week, and he assisted Thierry Henry’s goal in Arsenal’s draw with Manchester United earlier in the season.

The player is remembered fondly by the Arsenal fans to this day, with supporters singing his name throughout the recent Champions League matches against Reyes’ other club in 2003/04, Sevilla.

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