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Premier League

Kolo Toure’s unveiling at the Eastlands on Wednesday signaled the end of an era at Arsenal, feels Mobile ESPN's Adarsh Vinay.

The last of the legendary ‘Invincibles' had finally moved on

Around Christmas in 2002, Arsenal were unbeaten in the league, prompting Arsene Wenger to casually remark that it was possible to go an entire campaign undefeated. The comment was sniggered at from all quarters. Preston North End had done it way back in the 1888-89 season, but back then a season comprised of only 22 games. And since then football has changed considerably and the English league is now one of the most physical in the world. It seemed impossible that any team could go ten months without a single loss. Following Wenger's statement, a bad start to the second half of the season ensued as Arsenal succumbed to a late surge from Manchester United.

But the next season, Arsenal did the unthinkable and proved Wenger right. They went an entire season unbeaten, winning 28 and drawing 12 of the 38 league games.

That season saw Arsenal at the peak of their powers. They redefined one-touch football, running rings around defences with quick, deft passing. They took counter-attacking football to another level, with opposition corners frequently resulting in goals for Arsenal.

Jens Lehmann was a revelation in the Arsenal goal that season. Taking over from the reliable David Seaman might have seemed tricky, but Lehmann in his debut season in English football, kept for Arsenal without a single defeat. It was an impressive stat for any keeper.

For any team going forward, it is important to have an able defence watching its back. Sol Campbell and Toure had a solid partnership, with the former going for the aerial challenges and the latter man-marking marauding attackers.

The full backs, Ashley Cole and Bisan Lauren, added pace to the team. Cole linked up well with winger Robert Pires, making probing runs on the left flank, while Lauren used his strength and physical approach to run riot on the right wing.

Captain Patrick Viera, with his no-nonsense style stomped around the midfield, breaking up play and turning it into attacks. He orchestrated the game from the centre. Gilberto Silva, his midfield partner, was the unsung hero of the team. His play went highly unnoticed as his approach was more workmanlike; lacking the flair and creativity normally associated with his more exuberant teammates.

Pires on the left wing seemed to be all over the field, constantly involved in the attack. With his dribbling and astute passing, he also had an impressive goal return. Freddie Ljunberg on the right was a bundle of energy, and his marauding runs in the box set up many goals for teammates.

Dennis Bergkamp was another crucial figure for the Gunners that season. Playing as a support striker, he set up more goals than he scored, assisting Thierry Henry in notching up his impressive tally. The Dutchman played with breathtaking composure in front of goal and with a pacey Henry to complement him, dazzled in the opposition half.

Henry, for his part, scored 30 goals in the league that season. The Frenchman was widely regarded as the world's most feared striker and was the biggest threat in front of goal. Henry, Pires and Cole combined to set the left flank on fire with their pace and overlapping brilliance. The trio was dubbed as Arsenal's Holy Trinity. The trio had an extraordinary understanding with each other and left defenders bewildered in its wake.

The team went on to win 49 matches on the trot, breaking Nottingham Forest's record of 42 wins between1977-79. Arsenal's run, which started on May 7, 2003, finally ended on October 16, 2004 when Manchester United were awarded a controversial penalty. Ruud Van Nistelrooy made no mistake from the spot and Wayne Rooney added another in the death as Arsenal surged forward in search of an equalizer. The game finished 2-0 to end one of the most impressive unbeaten runs in club football.

In that season, Arsenal made comeback wins the norm with their never-say-die attitude. The wins versus Chelsea and Liverpool, after conceding first in both matches, were the highlights of the season. At Stamford Bridge, Arsenal were a goal down 27 seconds into the match but ended the game winning 2-1. The match against Liverpool was important as Arsenal were playing after being dumped out of the FA Cup and Champions League in successive games. Trailing 2-1 at half-time, Henry's hattrick inspired Arsenal to a 4-2 win against the Merseyside outfit. In the return fixture, Arsenal came from 1-0 down to win 2-1.

But with the defeat against United, the amazing run was over and in the next 5 seasons all of the regular starters, with the exception of Bergkamp who retired, gradually moved on to other clubs.

After that season, Arsenal's power gradually waned. Like the Emperors of Rome or the Pharaohs of Egypt, who at one point were the most powerful in the world, Arsenal's grandeur also disappeared without a trace. Since that season, Arsenal have only won the 2005 FA Cup.

Another Invincible season looks impossible and may never happen again. Even Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona side that stomped to the treble last season, could not emulate Arsenal's feat. Toure's presence at the Emirates was a lingering reminder to Arsenal fans of what used to be. With his move to Manchester City, the legendary team has now completely ceased to be.