History to be made if Arteta’s Arsenal can emulate Wenger’s
Arsene Wenger’s reign as Arsenal manager, which spanned 22 years, will forever be associated with the fabled ‘Invincibles’ team of 2003-04.
While that legendary squad – which included the likes of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, and Dennis Bergkamp – completed an entire Premier League campaign unbeaten, they missed out on other major honours at home and abroad.
One trophy is, of course, better than none, but Wenger can be considered to have overseen more productive seasons. He was a two-time double winner with the Gunners.
Multiple fronts
#OnThisDay in 2002
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 8, 2020
We secured the Double
Again pic.twitter.com/HMHC4L1WAu
Arsenal’s class of 2025-26 are back in the hunt for tangible success on multiple fronts, with anybody considering a bet on sports online able to get the north London outfit at 1/5 to capture a first top-flight crown in more than two decades.
They are also in contention for Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup honours, as handy tools such as an ACCAs calculator price up how likely they are to reach the summer with an open-top bus parade through the English capital being readied.
Arteta has won the FA Cup and two Community Shields during his tenure at Emirates Stadium, but has picked up an unfortunate reputation as being a ‘nearly man’ tactician.
Three successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League, while failing to clear semi-final hurdles on a regular basis, will do that to any coach.
Many have suggested that Arteta has reached ‘now or never’ territory, with it imperative that he turns potential into something more tangible if talk of a fresh approach being required under a new manager is to be avoided.
For his part, the Spaniard remains convinced that he can deliver on his remit.
A quadruple remains on the cards in 2026, and Arteta says he is “very convinced” that Arsenal have “the ability” to sweep the board. He concedes that there is “still so much to happen”.
In knockout football, it only takes one off day in order for collective dreams to be dashed. A 38-game marathon in the league does allow for the odd stumble to be endured without losing too much ground.
Arsenal have been working on improving both their sprint speed and stamina.
Whether that gets them over the line or not in first place is yet to be determined. They have at least positioned themselves among the frontrunners, with a place in the history books there to be shot at.
No English side has ever won all four major trophies available to them across a single campaign. Expecting Arsenal to break down barriers there would be the biggest of asks.
Iconic predecessor
828 Premier League matches
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 12, 2024
476 wins
1,561 goals
3 #PL titles
What is your favourite Arsene Wenger memory? pic.twitter.com/lOFA8xLHuB
Another double could, however, be on the cards.
Eight teams have achieved that feat down the years – Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City in the Premier League era, with Preston North End, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Liverpool starting the trend.
The Gunners and Red Devils have three doubles apiece. If Arteta could oversee another, then a place in the record books would be secured while pulling up a seat alongside iconic predecessor Wenger.
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