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 breezed past Birmingham City by a 3-0 margin to remain top of the table as well as thrash Inter Milan 5-1 at the San Siro, however the goals would dry up when Fulham arrived in north London.
Setting the scene
We headed into the game on the crest of a wave thanks to our success in Italy, which reignited our hopes of progressing into the knockout stages of the Champions League. However, we were still missing Lauren and Martin Keown through suspension after our Old Trafford fracas.
The Cottagers were enjoying a fine season themselves and Chris Coleman’s team sat fifth in the table heading into this contest having been tipped by many for the drop, but had already amassed over half of the 40 points required to avoid relegation.
Wenger’s words
Having navigated past Inter, Arsene Wenger was already plotting how to best use his squad as we continued to battle for silverware on three fronts: “We did take plenty of youngsters to Milan, including five of the substitutes,” he wrote in his programme notes. “You will get a chance to see some of those players on Tuesday when we play Wolves in the Carling Cup.
“I hope to involve Michal Papadopulos during the game but Philippe Senderos is still short injury-wise and we might have a problem at centre-back because Martin Keown is still suspended, I don't know what to do about that yet. We could also see David Bentley back from injury.
We don't want to cheat the supporters so that's why I want to make it clear that we will play with predominately young players on Tuesday.”
From the dressing room
With a host of players still suspended or struggling with injury, Dennis Bergkamp was handed the captaincy at Birmingham for the first time ever, and capped off the occasion with a goal.
"I didn't change my routine at all, the only thing was that I led the side out with the mascot,” Dennis said. “The rest was just as normal. I would say that I tried to lead more by example, I'm not really the shouting type.
“It meant a lot to be captain, especially being at the club so long and now I've reached a certain age. It didn't happen for a long time and some of the other lads had a bit of a joke about it because some of the players who should have been captain weren't there. They were suspended or injured and I think I must have been about sixth in line to get my chance, so I took some stick about it, but it was a very nice and proud moment.”
On the pitch
GAME 14: ARSENAL 0-0 FULHAM
November 30, 2003
We slipped to second spot in the Premier thanks to this goalless draw with Fulham at Highbury, as Chelsea took possession of the all-important top spot.
It would be easy to put this disappointing result down to "after the Lord Mayor's Show" syndrome following that fabulous 5-1 win in Italy. But in truth, we played well creating numerous chances and the primary reason for this result was the excellence of the Cottagers' giant goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
The Netherlands national stopper made a string of fine saves in the first half as we dominated. Wenger's side continued to pick the Fulham lock after the break but Van der Sar kept slamming the door, and, as the game went on, the visitors began to fancy their chances on the break.
In fact, arguably the clearest opportunity of the game came to Steed Malbranque midway through the second period, but fortunately he nodded an inviting cross wide of Jens Lehmann's upright with the goal at his mercy.
Despite the fact Fulham won 3-1 at Manchester United earlier in the season, this was certainly two points dropped. Wenger summed it up well, stating: “It was a frustrating result but not a frustrating way to play."
Line-up: Lehmann, Toure, Campbell, Cygan, Cole, Ljungberg (Aliadiere 79), Gilberto (Kanu 67), Edu, Pires, Henry, Bergkamp. Subs not used: Stack, Clichy, Hoyte.
Where we stood
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 9 | 35 |
| Arsenal | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 28 | 10 | 34 |
| Man Utd | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 25 | 9 | 31 |
| Fulham | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 18 | 22 |
| Charlton | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 17 | 22 |
What the press said
"From San Heroes to Highbury Zeros in five days. Arsenal are shooting stars but, this time, can't make them count." - Daily Mirror
"Having tantalised against Inter Milan in the Champions League, Arsenal were tormented into submission by Fulham yesterday." - Daily Telegraph
"Sven-Goran Eriksson take heart. Thierry Henry proved he his human after all. Arsenal's brilliant French striker was guilty of missing a hatful of chances as the Gunners drew a blank despite pulverising Fulham." - Daily Express
Elsewhere this week
A youthful side beat Wolves 5-1 in the League Cup, with Cesc Fabregas becoming our youngest-ever scorer aged 16 years, 212 days. Jeremie Aliadiare nabbed a brace, and Kanu and Sylvain Wiltord also got on the scoresheet.
We were drawn against West Bromwich Albion in the quarter-final of the competition, while Patrick Vieira made his return from injury having been out since September.
Our FA Youth Cup campaign got off to a tremendous start as we thrashed Crawley Town 9-0, setting up a meeting with Southampton in the fourth round.
Image of the week
Thierry Henry and Robert Pires take a moment to focus before kick-off against Fulham. Both were at the peak of their powers at this point, as Henry was one of three players on the shortlist for the World Player of the Year which would be decided later in the month, while his compatriot was on the shortlist for the European Footballer of the Year prize.
UK number ones
- Top 40: Crashed the Wedding - Busted
- Album chart: Life for Rent - Dido (fifth week at no. 1)
- Box office: Love Actually
In the news this week
In the Euro 2004 draw, England are pitted against France, Switzerland and Croatia, while hosts Portugal are drawn alongside neighbours Spain.
Having recently retired from service, a charity auction of memorabilia and part of Concorde took place in London, with the highlight coming when one of it’s iconic nose cones sold for £320,000, ten times more than expected.
The battle to own Manchester United continued to heat up as Malcolm Glazer upped his stake to 14.2 per cent by purchasing another 4.5 per cent at £31.5 million. Irishmen John Magnier and JP McManus had upped their share to 23.1 per cent the month before.
Find out what happened next as we aimed to get back on track against Leicester City as well as reach the Champions League knockouts
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