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Arsenal: 10 best individual player seasons in the Premier League
By Jocelyn Taub
Vieira Captains Arsenal to a Title and an Undefeated Season – 2003/2004
Patrick Vieira joined Arsenal from Milan in 1996 for a transfer fee of £3.5m in what was to be the beginning of a mini French revolution in North London as Arsene Wenger replaced Bruce Rioch as manager that October.
At 6ft 4in, Vieira was an imposing physical presence. He went on to become one of the best midfielders in world football with the ability to win battles and intelligently distribute the ball, quickly establishing himself as a regular in the Gunners’ starting XI despite everyone believing he was a centre-back.
He spent nine seasons in north London and his list of accomplishments includes three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and three Community Shields. He was also the captain for the 2003/2004 undefeated Premier League Champions: The Invincibles.
During the 2003/2004 season Arsenal won 26, drew 12, and lost none with Vieira featuring in 29 of these matches. While Vieira was more of a defensive presence, when he did score goals, they were generally very special.
In February 2004 at Stamford Bridge, he equalized in the 14th minute after an early Eidur Gudjohnsen goal as Arsenal went on to win the match 2-1, completing a league double over their London rivals.
The Gunners headed to White Hart Lane on April 25, 2004, for the north London derby with the team needed a single point to clinch the title. Vieira scored in the third minute in an eventual 2-2 draw as the Frenchman and his teammates celebrated by lifting the trophy at the home of their most bitter rivals.
Vieira finished the campaign in dramatic fashion as he netted the winning and final goal of the ‘Invincible’ season, against Leicester City in a 2-1 victory at Highbury.
Vieira was unsurprisingly named to the PFA Team of the year for 2003/2004 and, in all, he received this honor for six successive seasons between 1999 and 2004. He is still recognized as one of the best defensive midfielders that Arsenal has ever had.