The 2003-04 English Premier League title was received by Arsenal, reaching an unimaginable feat within the course of by going all the season with out shedding a match.
Arsene Wenger amassed a facet who had been imperious in virtually each conflict and with abilities akin to Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Fredrik Ljungberg they had been by no means crushed. Chelsea, with the riches of Roman Abramovich revealing itself, completed in a distant second.
CHANGES
For the primary time of their historical past, Chelsea and Stamford Bridge grew to become the epicentre of the soccer world. Roman Abramovich’s takeover, bringing with him billions in spare money, despatched the press right into a frenzy over how that cash could be spent. No potential switch goal went unlinked, however in the long run the Blues arguably exceeded expectations with the amount of high-quality arrivals they had been in a position to land.
Damien Duff (£17m from Blackburn Rovers), Adrian Mutu (£7m from Parma) and Hernan Crespo (£16.8m from Inter) had been among the many first arrivals, however the Blues had been in no temper to cease there.
Juan Veron arrived from rivals Manchester United for £15m, whereas a succession of others additionally got here in; Joe Cole, Wayne Bridge, Geremi, Glen Johnson had been all added earlier than, on deadline day, arguably essentially the most essential deal of all of them, signing Claude Makelele from Actual Madrid for a charge of £16m.
It was spending on an unprecedented stage and left everybody else within the shade. United’s outlay was rather more subdued, although the arrival of a younger winger by the title of Cristiano Ronaldo did a lot to offset the lack of David Beckham to Actual Madrid.
Arsenal additionally checked out youth first, securing Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona’s youth setup, earlier than spending massive mid-season on the colourful Jose Antonio Reyes from Sevilla for £16m.
Developing from the First Division got here Portsmouth, dominant champions of the second tier, Leicester Metropolis and, by way of the playoffs, Wolves.
SEASON SUMMARY
Regardless of going all the season unbeaten, Arsenal confronted a big problem within the first half of the marketing campaign, significantly from the revitalised Chelsea, who, below the Italian Claudio Ranieri, had been in a position to amalgamate previous and new gamers right into a coherent unit from the off.
Chelsea’s solely defeat till December got here by the hands of Arsenal, however the Gunners had drawn 4, leaving them behind the Blues going into the busy December interval. Manchester United had been an extra three factors again, their second to remorse being Ruud van Nistelrooy’s last-minute penalty miss in opposition to the Gunners which drew chaotic scenes and will have ended the invincible run earlier than it had even received going.
It was Chelsea who bumped into bother, shedding to Bolton Wanderers, Charlton and Liverpool over the Christmas stretch, whereas United’s type was impeccable, successful six video games in a row, shifting them stage on factors with Arsenal and effectively away from the fading Blues.
However United then suffered a horrendous run of their very own, successful simply three of their subsequent 10 matches and struggling damaging losses to Wolves, Middlesbrough and within the derby, 4-1 to Manchester Metropolis.
The championship is the place you see how good a staff is. All of the gamers have had a exceptional angle and all my workers have been unbelievable. We have been remarkably constant, have not misplaced a recreation and we’ve got performed fashionable soccer. We’ve entertained individuals who simply love soccer.Arsene Wenger
Arsenal, as compared, compiled an ideal nine-match successful streak, to the purpose the place when United came over on the finish of March, the Gunners held a nine-point lead over Chelsea and 12 over United. Wins over Liverpool and Leeds United adopted, Thierry Henry in formidable type in each fixtures, which means that the league title might be clinched at White Hart Lane in opposition to derby rivals Tottenham. A 2-2 draw was sufficient and all that was left to do was make sure the unbeaten run might be maintained till the season’s finish. Leicester Metropolis got here closest, going a aim up on the ultimate day, however Arsenal responded to win 2-1 and seal their place in historical past.
Chelsea, in the long run, completed second, a full 11 factors off the tempo, a efficiency which wasn’t sufficient to maintain Ranieri in a job the next yr. United had been 4 additional again whereas Liverpool had been 30 factors off the tempo, a place which additionally value Gerard Houllier his job as supervisor.
On the backside, Wolves and Leicester couldn’t sufficiently enhance on their first division squads to compete and went straight again down, to be joined by an establishment of English soccer, Leeds United. After constructing a younger, thrilling squad on the flip of the millennium, monetary mismanagement had led to a mass exodus of expertise, and those who remained weren’t ok.
AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
THIERRY HENRY
An all-time Premier League nice, however this yr was Henry on the peak of his powers, at instances single-handedly destroying groups with consummate ease.
MANAGER OF THE SEASON
ARSENE WENGER
The talismanic Frenchman was the apparent alternative, having masterminded the primary unbeaten season within the historical past of England’s prime division.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON
SCOTT PARKER
The midfielder’s very good type was sufficient to draw a bid from Chelsea in mid-season, and he moved to Stamford Bridge for £10m from Charlton.
TOP GOALSCORER
THIERRY HENRY – 30 GOALS
An unimaginable 30 objectives for Henry, who struck with such regularity and precision that he might lay declare to being one of the best ahead on the earth on the time.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
GOAL OF THE SEASON
DIETMAR HAMANN received the award with this very good first-time volley in opposition to Portsmouth at Anfield.
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFER
Damien Duff
Blackburn Rovers to CHELSEA
£17m
KEY MOMENT OF THE SEASON
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s last-minute penalty at Outdated Trafford again in September, which he smashed in opposition to the crossbar. The Invincibles might have been thwarted early of their run, however as a substitute wouldn’t lose a match till the subsequent time they visited Manchester, over a yr later.
