"The Invincibles: A Look Back at Thierry Henry and Kolo Toure's Time at Arsenal"

 

Arsenal's Invincibles: A Look Back at Thierry Henry and Kolo Toure's Time at the Club

In the early 2000s, Arsenal was a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. Led by the legendary Thierry Henry and his trusted defensive partner Kolo Toure, the Gunners made history by going an entire league season unbeaten - a feat that has yet to be replicated by any other club. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the careers of these two footballing greats and their contributions to Arsenal's Invincibles.

Thierry Henry arrived at Arsenal in 1999 from Juventus, and it didn't take long for him to make an impact. He quickly established himself as one of the best strikers in the world, and by the 2003-2004 season, he was the captain of the Arsenal squad. That season, Henry scored 30 goals in 37 league appearances, helping Arsenal to secure the Premier League title without losing a single game. He was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and the Premier League Player of the Season, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in Arsenal's history.

But Henry wasn't the only key player on that Invincibles team. Kolo Toure, a young Ivorian defender, had joined Arsenal from ASEC Mimosas in 2002 and quickly established himself as a reliable and versatile member of the squad. Toure was comfortable playing at center-back or right-back, and his athleticism, strength, and technical ability made him an integral part of Arsenal's defense.

In the Invincibles season, Toure played in 36 of the 38 Premier League matches, forming a rock-solid partnership with Sol Campbell at the heart of Arsenal's defense. Together, they conceded just 26 goals all season, the fewest of any team in the league. Toure's performances earned him widespread praise, and he was named the African Footballer of the Year in 2008.

Despite their success on the pitch, Henry and Toure's time at Arsenal was not without its challenges. In 2005, Henry was linked with a move away from the club, and although he eventually stayed, it was clear that his relationship with manager Arsene Wenger had been strained. Toure, too, had his own issues with Wenger, with the Ivorian later revealing that he had been forced to play through injury during his time at the club.

Despite these difficulties, however, Henry and Toure remain two of the most beloved players in Arsenal's history. Their contributions to the Invincibles team, and to the club as a whole, cannot be overstated. Henry, in particular, is still regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, and his influence on the modern game can still be seen today.

In conclusion, Thierry Henry and Kolo Toure's time at Arsenal was a period of immense success and achievement for both players and the club as a whole. Their contributions to the Invincibles team will go down in history as one of the greatest feats in English football, and their legacies at Arsenal will be remembered for years to come.