Each week, we'll reminisce about our incredible Invincible season 20 years on by looking back at what was going on at the club on and off the pitch, as well as remembering key news stories and the pop culture buzz at the time.
Last week, we beat Manchester City to remain top of the table as Jose Antonio Reyes arrived to boost our title bid ahead of two games in quick succession.
Setting the scene
The win against City saw us remain top of the pile, and just as we did over the Christmas break we would be searching for back-to-back wins over Wolves and Southampton to heap the pressure on our rivals.
Since then Wolves had gone on to beat Manchester United, allowing us to overhaul the Red Devils, while the Saints gave Sir Alex Ferguson’s side a battle the week before as they fell to a 3-2 defeat. That all meant we couldn’t allow complacency to creep in with our biggest rivals struggling for form.
Wenger’s words
Despite being unbeaten in our opening 23 games, we only held a slender two-point lead over United, with Chelsea just six behind. That made Wenger more determined to keep the relentlessness going.
“After the season we have had you might expect to be further clear at the top,” he said. “It's amazing but also I would say that it pushes us on because we know we can not afford any slip-ups.
“On that basis it is positive to have three teams tight at the top because it pushes us as far as we can. We know every point is vital and I'm convinced that makes us a better team. The number of points needed to win the league will be unexpectedly and unusually high.”
From the dressing room
Pascal Cygan had made 14 appearances in the league and more than played his part in helping us remain unbeaten. Enjoying his best form in a Gunners shirt, he revealed his initial struggles were down to settling in England.
“Half of my mind was on solving family issues and the other half was concerned with Arsenal,” he reflected. “I had to deal with looking for a new home here in England, with looking for a school for my eldest daughter who would sometimes come home crying because she hadn't understood what was happening.
"Of course it was hard. But everything is now settled. I am determined to be in the first XI. It is up to me to fight and get back into the first team. Maybe the wheel of fortune will turn again in my favour. I played alongside Patrick Vieira in midfield for the French youth team. Maybe one day I will be asked to play up front with Thierry Henry!"
On the pitch
GAME 24: WOLVES 1-3 ARSENAL
February 7, 2004
We ground out a deserved 3-1 victory at Molineux, breaking a club record by going 24 games unbeaten from the start of a season, surpassing the 23 matches set in 1990/91.
Given that Wolves were unbeaten in their last eight league games at home, this result sent out a clear message that matters were in hand. With Freddie Ljungberg suffering a rib injury, Edu came into central midfield, pushing Gilberto onto the right flank, and Patrick Vieira returned after suspension.
Sylvain Wiltord and Jeremie Aliadiere were still a couple of weeks away from returning to the squad, but in the end it didn't matter as our three goals came from different sources
Dennis Bergkamp fired us ahead in the ninth minute but Vio Ganea equalised midway through the half and, at the break, this was an even-money contest.
But we raised our game after the restart and, by the 63rd minute, had taken the game away from Wolves through goals from Thierry Henry and Kolo Toure.
Line-up: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Pires, Vieira, Gilberto, Edu, Bergkamp (Reyes 55), Henry. Subs not used: Stack, Clichy, Cygan, Parlour.
GAME 25: ARSENAL 2-0 SOUTHAMPTON
February 10, 2004
Henry's 100th and 101st Premier League goals were enough to see off Southampton at Highbury and send Wenger's side five points clear at the top.
There were two changes from the side that had beaten Wolves, as Ray Parlour came in for Edu and Reyes made his first Premiership start at the expense of the injured Bergkamp. Despite the absence of experienced players, we managed to field an XI which oozed class.
For our first goal, Henry ran onto a pass from compatriot Robert Pires in the 31st minute to steer home the first. At the time the lead was a little flattering; the Saints had their fair share of the play in a nip-and-tuck first half. Gordon Strachan, the Southampton manager, though, was furious at the goal, believing it to be offside and let the linesman know of his anger.
The opening 45 saw Southampton match us but we were better after the interval. This was a performance all about grit and determination - mixed with a little of Henry's special brand of flair. He added another at the death as the home side were playing out time.
Although this 90 minutes wouldn’t live long in the memory, it proved vital as Manchester United lost 3-2 at home to Middlesbrough, and our lead in the table grew to a handsome five points.
Line-up: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Pires, Vieira, Gilberto, Parlour, Henry, Reyes (Clichy 74). Subs not used: Stack, Cygan, Edu, Bentley.
Where we stood
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Arsenal | 25 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 49 | 16 | 61 |
| Man Utd | 25 | 18 | 2 | 4 | 49 | 23 | 56 |
| Chelsea | 25 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 46 | 19 | 55 |
| Liverpool | 25 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 32 | 27 | 38 |
| Newcastle | 25 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 35 | 26 | 38 |
What the press said
"It started 160 games ago with a goal against Southampton and when Thierry Henry reached his century last night they were again the victims of a talent so complete that the Frenchman's exceptional finishing can almost be taken for granted." - Daily Mail
"The Invincibles march on." - Sunday Express
"For Arsene Wenger, records are not ends in themselves, unless they guarantee trophies. They are mere markers along the season's road." - The Guardian
Elsewhere this week
Kanu’s time at the Africa Cup of Nations came to an end at the semi-final stage as Nigeria lost to Tunisia on penalties.
Henry was named the league’s Player of the Month for January after scoring three times in three matches to collect his first monthly award of the campaign.
Goalkeeper Stuart Taylor returned to action after five months out injured in a 2-2 draw against Leicester City reserves.
Image of the week
Gilberto visited London Zoo to see an anteater named in honour. After an Arsenal supporter won a competition to name the animal, he selected Gilberto as it was from Brazil.
The two Gilbertos got on famously. The footballer stroked and fed the young anteater and chatted to the specialist keeper about these beautiful animals. After saying his goodbyes he commented: "To be honest I have never seen an anteater in the wild back home in Brazil, but it was great to meet Gilberto here at London Zoo. He can now be like a brother to me!
UK number ones
Official Top 40: All This Time - Michelle McManus (third week at no. 1)
Album chart: Call Off the Search - Katie Melua
Box office: Scary Movie 3 (second week at no. 1)
In the news this week
Lennox Lewis became the first reigning world heavyweight champion to retire since Rocky Marciano in 1956. Lewis' record was 41 wins, two losses and one draw.
23 Chinese people drown when a group of 35 cockle-pickers are trapped by rising tides in Morecambe Bay. 21 bodies are recovered.
More than 14 million people watched Kerry McFadden win I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, in the same season that saw Peter Andre and Katie Price begin their relationship.
Find out what happened next as Chelsea came to Highbury looking to stay in the title hunt
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