Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants his current crop of players to be
inspired by the exploits of the famed ‘Invincibles’ of 2003/04.
The
Gunners’ title-winning side of the 2003-04 season, who famously went
unbeaten throughout the campaign, were named the Premier League’s Best
Team in the awards ceremony marking the league’s 20th anniversary on
Monday.
Wenger admitted he was extremely proud not just of the
award, but of the legacy left by a side which went 49 top-flight matches
without defeat.
“I am proud of (winning the award) and very happy
because I told the players at the time they could achieve something
special once we were champions by being invincible,” Wenger told Arsenal
Player.
“They did it, but at the time they did not realise how much it would mean in the future. I am very proud of that.”
Arsenal have endured a barren spell since the class of 2004 disbanded, having failed to win a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2005.
However,
Wenger is firmly targeting a return to the standard of his greatest
side, and believes the current crop of players at his disposal is not
far away from emulating their success.
“My target is to get back
to that level,” he said. “I feel we are not far from coming back to
fight for the championship, and let’s hope we can show that next
season.”
Arsenal ended the 2011-12 season in third place, 19 points behind champions Manchester City.
