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.
Two weeks ago, we returned to the top of the table with a 2-0 win against Aston Villa and having progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup during the Premier League break, Manchester City visited us who would encounter a new face in our ranks.
Setting the scene
Our four-game month-long marathon against Middlesbrough was coming to an end after we thrashed the Teesiders 4-1 in the FA Cup in our third encounter, gaining revenge for them winning the first leg of our League Cup semi-final earlier in the week.
We could now turn our attentions back to the Premier League and visit from City, who had recently seen David Seaman retire. Safe Hands would make a welcome return to Highbury and received a guard of honour from both teams before kick-off, while our supporters were excited to see Jose Antonio Reyes make his debut following his £10.5 million switch from Sevilla.
Wenger’s words
Having captured his new signing two days before the City game, Arsene Wenger revealed why he opted to sign Reyes: "We want to play a game based on technique and sharp movement, and he has that. He is still young too, so we feel there is a lot to come from him and we hope we can bring that out of him. He has the talent - that's obvious - now the rest is down to him and us.
"We have been watching him for a long time now, we have watched him at least 30 to 40 times for Seville. We have done our homework. I have had about 40 scouting reports, watched him on TV and we have even seen him in training sessions for his old club, so it's not an impulsive decision.
"We decided to go for him as well because he is a versatile player - he can play up front, centrally or on the wings. That is interesting for us because it means we could even go for a 4-3-3 if we want. He is very adaptable."
From the dressing room
Reyes gave his thoughts on the move himself, revealing that he had admired the club and our players since he was a boy. "I am the happiest man in the world at this moment, and at the same time the saddest," he said at the time. "There's no doubt that this is a huge moment in my career, but I won't forget I'm leaving the club that I love with all my heart.
"Thankfully what I have always said has come true; that if I was to go, the club would get good money for me, and I will develop spectacularly as a player. I am sad to be leaving Seville, but also happy, as I am joining Arsenal - the best English team. I am really looking forward to playing in the Premier League and working with Arsenal's world-class players.
"This is a big club and everyone would like to play here. I chose them as they are a club I have liked since I was a child. I know a bit of history about the club, I’ve found out for myself. What I do know is that it’s a sensation. There is a great collection of international stars here, and what impresses me is the speed and precision with which Arsenal play."
On the pitch
GAME 23: ARSENAL 2-1 MANCHESTER CITY
February 1, 2004
After Manchester United jumped us the previous day, we returned to the top of the table with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester City.
Visiting defender Michael Tarnat diverted Thierry Henry's cross into his own net six minutes before the break to give us the lead, while the Frenchman added a thunderbolt of his own seven minutes from time.
Nicolas Anelka did score from close range at the death but saw red straight afterwards as he clashed with Ashley Cole while trying to get the ball back.
Before kick-off, the whole of Highbury - visiting supporters included - stood in unison before kick-off to give a rousing reception to David Seaman who strode out onto familiar turf one last time with the two teams forming a guard of honour.
But the day was about new as well as old faces. Reyes was named on the bench, while captain Patrick Vieira was suspended so Ray Parlour joined Gilberto in central midfield.
Although never at our fluent best, we deserved the victory and ensured Wenger's men matched George Graham's 1990/91 side, who started that league campaign by going 23 unbeaten. And by scoring, we made it 96 out of the last 100 Premier League games in which we have hit the net.
New boy Reyes came on for the final 21 minutes and only the anticipation of City keeper David James stopped him scoring. Although the game had a controversial end, in most respects, it was a very satisfying day.
Line-up: Lehmann, Toure, Campbell, Lauren, Cole, Pires (Cygan 84), Ljungberg (Edu 59), Parlour, Silva, Bergkamp (Reyes 69), Henry. Subs not used: Stack, Bentley.
Where we stood
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Arsenal | 23 | 16 | 7 | 0 | 44 | 15 | 55 |
| Man Utd | 23 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 43 | 17 | 53 |
| Chelsea | 23 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 43 | 19 | 49 |
| Charlton | 23 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 32 | 25 | 37 |
| Liverpool | 23 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 24 | 34 |
What the press said
"As the soaking pitch was trampled it felt as if Arsenal's past present and future were being churned in the winter darkness." - The Guardian
"Arsenal's fans came to crown the pretender to the throne in young superkid Jose Antonio Reyes. But Thierry Henry proved he is still the King of Highbury as he unleashed a thunderbolt to light up North London." - Daily Star
"New £20 million kid Jose Reyes swaggered into town and got a crash course in the good, the bad and the ugly of Premier League life." - The Sun
Elsewhere this week
We would exit the League Cup at the Riverside Stadium after losing 2-1 to Middlesbrough, bowing out in the semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate.
Following Reyes’ arrival, Jerome Thomas moved to Charlton Athletic for £100,000. He had made three appearances for the club, which had come during our League Cup run.
The closing of the transfer window also saw young Brazilian defender Juan sign for Fluminense after playing twice in our first-team.
Image of the week
Thierry Henry celebrates his thunderous strike against Manchester City with a knee-slide in front of the home supporters, with Seaman's replacement James crestfallen in the background.
The England goalkeeper had been beaten by another incredible long-range blast from Henry the previous season whilst he was at West Ham United, and once again he was powerless to stop the Frenchman scoring his 16th league goal of the campaign.
UK number ones
UK Top 40: All This Time - Michelle McManus (second week at no. 1)
Album chart: Life For Rent - Dido (10th week at no. 1)
Box office: Scary Movie 3
In the news this week
Janet Jackon's "wardrobe malfunction" causes uproar during her half-time performance with Justin Timberlake at Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Roger Federer won his second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, and moved to the top of the world rankings where he would remain for a record 237 weeks until August 2008.
Facebook is founded after Mark Zuckerberg launches the social media site from his Harvard dormitory room.
Find out what happened next as we faced two games in the space of four days as we began to find our groove.
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