Arsenal: How Many Current Players Would Get In Invincible XI?

Sol Campbell has stated that Alexis Sanchez would easily get in the Arsenal invincibles XI. That got me thinking, would any other current players join him?

Comparing current players, teams and managers to those of the past is simply an enjoyable act that all fans do with unending joy. The benchmark for Arsenal, at least in their recent past, is the teams that Arsene Wenger mastered in the beginning of his tenure, culminating in the Invincibles of 03/04.

As the club has never reached such heights since that is the yardstick that current stars are measured by. The latest to compare today’s squad to that is Sol Campbell, the anchor of that great side. When asked about Alexis Sanchez and his potentially fractious character, Campbell claimed that the Chilean would waltz his way into the immortal team that he commanded:

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"“[Arsenal need] more Sanchez-type of mentality players, from defenders to up front. I think that for me they need more players like that on the pitch. Sanchez would easily play in our (Invincibles) side. [Sanchez] has everything. If you want to win things, you’ve got to have more guys like that.”"

Such comments got me thinking. Are there any other players in the squad today that would be selected in the starting XI from the 03/04 season?

In depressing truth, only Sanchez is the obvious candidate, and even then, it is easily plausible to see why Freddie Ljungberg should be selected ahead of him. After Sanchez, there are not too many options that are worthy of consideration.

Perhaps the most obvious is Mesut Ozil. But is he really better than Dennis Bergkamp? The German may be an exquisitely talented player but Bergkamp is streets ahead as a second striker. Beyond that, possible inclusions are the likes of Santi Cazorla in central midfield and Laurent Koscielny at centre-half.

Cazorla would have to overcome Gilberto Silva in the role alongside Patrick Vieira. While the Spaniard certainly offers a greater technical quality and distribution, Silva was a defensive rock shielding the back, bringing an imposing physicality that was essential to the relentless success of the side.

Koscielny would have to be selected of either Sol Campbell or Kolo Toure. Campbell is by far the best of the three but there is an argument to suggest that Koscielny should be included ahead of Toure. I believe that the Toure of 03/04 is better than the Koscielny of today but I would listen to suggestions otherwise.

Next: Arsenal: 4 Players Who Have Come To The End Of The Road

Ultimately, though, this exercise shows how far behind the current Arsenal team is from the greatest period in the club’s history, and that is a very sad truth indeed.

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