Arsenal F.C. season 2004-05

This article details Arsenal F.C.'s 2004-05 season.

SQUAD

1.Jens Lehmann
3.Ashley Cole
4.Patrick Vieira
7.Robert Pires
8.Fredrik Ljungberg
9.Jose Antonio Reyes
10.Dennis Bergkamp
11.Robin Van Persie
12.Lauren
13.Stuart Taylor
14.Thierry Henry
15.Francesc Fabregas
16.Mathieu Flamini
17.Edu
18.Pascal Cygan
19.Gilberto Silva
20.Phillipe Senderos
21.Jermaine Pennant
22.Gael Clichy
23.Sol Campbell
24.Manuel Almunia
27.Emmanuel Eboue
28.Kolo Toure
30.Jeremie Aliadiere
31.Justin Hoyte
35.Johan Djourou
37.Ryan Garry
39.Sebastian Larsson
40.Arturo Lupoli
42.Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
44.Olafur Ingi Skulason
46.Daniel Karbassiyoon

FA Premier League review

Everton 1-4 ARSENAL

Arsenal began their FA Premier League season with an amazing, resounding victory at Goodison Park to get Arsenal's defence of their title off to a good start. It all started with a neatly slotted finish from Dennis Bergkamp on his 500th career league appearance to give Arsenal the lead, and that lead expanded to two when a header from new Spanish signing Jose Antonio Reyes found the back of the net. Normal business resumed in the second half when a searching cross from Thierry Henry found Fredrik Ljungberg to make it 3-0. Everton pulled a goal back when a sublime chip from Thomas Gravesen found Lee Carsley who spoilt Jens Lehmann's clean sheet. But then Arsenal's three goal lead was restored when substitute Robert Pires profited from a goalkeeping error from Nigel Martyn to make it 4-1 and that's how it finished. Arsenal's unbeaten run in league matches was now 41, one away from levelling Nottingham Forest FC's record and two away from beating it. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3553242.stm link title]

ARSENAL 5-3 Middlesbrough

Arsenal equaled Nottingham Forest's record with an amazing 5-3 win over Middlesbrough. Whilst this game will go down in the history books as a classic, Arsenal fans would have had their hearts in their mouth as they went 3-1 down at Highbury but a sensational turnaround helped Arsenal win 5-3. Arsenal fans must have thought the game was in the bag when Thierry Henry raced through to lob Mark Schwarzer to give Arsenal an early lead. This was to be the first of many goals for Thierry Henry. Then, Middlesbrough turned it on as Joseph-Desire Job scored from the most tightest of angles. Franck Queudrue then set up Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to give Middlesbrough a shock 2-1 lead and then it was 3-1 when Queudrue's shot caught out Lehmann. The German goalkeeper was expecting a cross, so came out of his line a bit but Queudrue then shot and beat Lehmann. Then, it was Arsenal's turn as they created a remarkable turnaround to claim a remarkable record. Bergkamp scored a goal almost immediately after kick-off to give Arsenal a glimmer of hope at 3-2 and then Arsenal scored two goals within a minute as Robert Pires and Jose Antonio Reyes scored to make it 4-3 and then Thierry Henry finished it off with his second of the game to win 5-3. What a game! [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3564572.stm link title]

ARSENAL 3-0 Blackburn Rovers

Arsenal claimed the record of Nottingham Forest with a comfortable win at Highbury over Blackburn Rovers. Arsenal fans were hoping that the game of Middlesbrough was just a one-off and that this game wouldn't be as suspenseful and they were hoping they would get their record with a good win, and they got that. After a goalless first half, normal business resumed as a corss from Dennis Bergkamp found the grateful head of Thierry Henry as he hit the back of the net. Thierry Henry then turned provider as his corner was headed goalwards by Gilberto Silva and young Cesc Fabregas stuck a knee out to score. The young Spaniard thought he scored, but the ball was already over the line meaning the goal went to Gilberto. Henry then set up another goal after an unselfish set up for Reyes was neatly converted to give Arsenal a win and a place in football history. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3577058.stm link title]

Norwich City 1-4 ARSENAL

Arsenal continued their 100% start to their campaign with an easy win over a lacklustre Norwich at Carrow Road. They extended their record to 44 unbeaten matches now as well. It was happy days for the north London club. 21 minutes into the game, Jose Antonio Reyes continued his good scoring form with the opener after good work from Thierry Henry. Norwich then felt hard done by after a foul by Lauren on Norwich forward Darren Huckerby resulted in a yellow card in a red card offence. Arsenal, of course, made sure they won after that bit of luck, a superb passing move was finished by Thierry Henry. Then it was 3-0 when an Adam Drury error was punished by Robert Pires who neatly scored. Norwich got one back four minutes into the second half after a foul from young Justin Hoyte resulted in a penalty that was tucked home by Darren Huckerby. In the dying seconds, a crisp drive from Dennis Bergkamp found the back of the net and the game finished 4-1 to the champions over the newly-promoted team. 44 games unbeaten and counting. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3586108.stm link title]

Fulham 0-3 ARSENAL

Arsenal had a comfortable 3-0 away win in a highly controversal game. Fulham had two decisions go against them which could've saw them go 2-0 up at Craven Cottage but Arsenal profited from them as they won 3-0 to extend their unbeaten run to 45 games. It was a relatively quiet game with a few moments until half an hour had gone. Andy Cole ran through to Jens Lehmann's goal and was brought down by Ashley Cole. Referee Mark Halsey indicated a penalty but then suddenly changed his decision and if this enraged Fulham players, they would have been fuming as a Collins John header was disallowed. In the second half, Jose Antonio Reyes came on and two after his inclusion he passed to Henry to found Ljungberg who scored to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead and that became two when Ljungberg was free again but Zat Knight got there first but beat his own goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar to make it 2-0. The English defender and the Dutch goalkeeper were stunned. Bergkamp set up Jose Reyes who scored a neat goal to make it 3-0 to Arsenal and that's how the game finished. Arsenal 45 games unbeaten and fastly approaching 50. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3586108.stm link title]

ARSENAL 2-2 Bolton Wanderers

Arsenal dropped their first points of the season after a disappointing draw at Highbury. Bolton came here fighting and deserved a point after a solid midfield and defence performance. Returning Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira was involved in the first goal of the game after he exchanged three passes with Henry who then neatly slotted past Jussi Jaaskelainen to give Arsenal the lead and Arsenal fans must've thought another 3 points in the bag after their previous results this season (except the Middlesbrough one). Bolton fought back though and their persistance paid off as they equalised through Tunisia defender Radhi Jaidi. Jens Lehmann made a mess of coming for a Jay-Jay Okocha corner and hit Jaidi's shoulder and into the net. Arsenal fought back again though as Freddie Ljungberg's cross found Robert Pires and he flicked it from behind him past Jaaskelainen to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead. Arsenal must've felt comfortable here but Bolton fought back again and scored with five minutes remaining. Substitute Les Ferdinand set up other substitiute Henrik Pedersen who tucked it away into the corner. Arsenal's unbeaten run extended into 46 and 50 was starting to become more realistic, but Arsenal were hoping that they would've made 46 by winning, but they were still top of the table by this point. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3647074.stm link title]

Manchester City 0-1 ARSENAL

Arsenal made it 47 and they were now three games away from that magical number of 50. This was a tough win at the City of Manchester Stadium as Kevin Keegan's side were proving no pushovers and City goalkeeper David James was also in top form but a goal from left-back Ashley Cole enough to give Arsenal an away win after that disappointment of a home draw against Bolton Wanderers. City had a good start as Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jon Macken both tested Jens Lehmann and then former Arsenal player Nicolas Anelka nearly made the breakthrough but his shot flew wide of the post. Then, suddenly, Arsenal took the lead when Jose Reyes ball eventually found Ashley Cole who neatly beat David James. Arsenal could've extended their lead but they came up against a solid David James after saving two shots from Henry, City had their moments but the game finished 1-0 to Arsenal. 3 more points to help the defence of their title and extend the unbeaten run to 47 games now, what a record! [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3661812.stm link title]

ARSENAL 4-0 Charlton Athletic

Arsenal made it 48 and were now two games away from a remarkable achievement which no-one has ever achieved in English football history. Arsenal got off to a promising start when just a few minutes into the game, a fizzing drive from Dennis Bergkamp smashed against the woodwork and it was shortly 1-0 for Arsenal as Jason Euell lost the ball to Henry who fed Bergkamp who crossed for Ljungberg who calmly finished past Dean Kiely. Thierry Henry then scored one of the goals of the season when he was on the corner of the six-yard box tightly marked by Jonathan Fortune but produced a moment of magic when he backheeled the ball past Dean Kiely to make it 2-0. Reyes set up Henry for a third after Henry hit it and it went in of the bar after touching Kiely's gloves. Arsenal finished off the game with a neat finish from Reyes in the bottom corner from a lovely ball from Henry. 4-0 it finished, two more games to beat that record. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem3689182.stm link title]

ARSENAL 3-1 Aston Villa

Arsenal were now just one game away from that half-century mark after winning against David O'Leary's Aston Villa team. Arsenal, however, didn't start the game well as they had to come from behind to win this game. A superb drive from outside the area from Lee Hendrie after 3 minutes gave Villa the perfect start. Substitute goalkeeper Stefan Postma came in for the injured Thomas Sorensen. Jose Reyes was continuously kept out by the Dutch goalkeeper along with Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and a few others. Thierry Henry burst into the box and was looking threatening but was brought down by Mark Delaney. Robert Pires beat Postma with the resulting penalty. That goal seemed to spark Arsenal into life and they gained the lead after a great through ball from Reyes found Thierry Henry who beat Stefan Postma with a neat drive. With 20 minutes left, Henry set up Pires who beat the superb Stefan Postma to make it 3-1, Arsenal were now so close to that amazing mark of 50 but they had to overcome Manchester United [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3724032.stm link title]

Manchester United 2-0 ARSENAL

Arsenal went crashing down to Earth as they lost 2-0 to title challengers and rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford to finish their 49 game unbeaten run. Man Utd were 11 points behind the leaders Arsenal going into this game and they reduced the deficit to 8. Wayne Rooney nearly gave United a dream start after a rare error from Patrick Vieira but brave defending from Kolo Toure kept the scores level. Then, shortly afterwards, Sol Campbell produced some brave defending after he flung himself at a Ryan Giggs shot to block it. Roy Carroll made a good save with his feet to keep out Dennis Bergkamp. Thierry Henry raced through on goal, but Roy Carroll dived bravely to stop the ball going through. However, after that great bit of defending by Campbell a few lines above, he turned from hero to zero as Rooney went through and after he stuck out a leg to bring the young English man down, Ruud van Nistelrooy calmly stroked it past Jens Lehmann. Alan Smith went racing through and he was one-on-one with Jens Lehmann he then squared it across goal for Rooney who tapped it in to give Manchester United the win that not only just kept them in the title fold, but ended great rivals Arsenal's unbeaten run. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3727552.stm link title]

ARSENAL 2-2 Southampton

The defeat to Manchester United which denied the Gunners that record seemed to have affected the players as they suffered a disappointing home draw with eventually relegated Southampton. Dennis Bergkamp was brought down by Darren Kenton early on but the penalty was crashed against the post from Thierry Henry. Arsenal's strike force was slightly weakened when Jose Reyes was carried off after a challenge from Mikael Nilsson. That seemed to spur Arsenal on and a ball over the top from Bergkamp found Henry who neatly slotted past Antti Niemi. The Finnish goalkeeper then thwarted Ljungberg after good work from Thierry Henry. Arsenal were meant to rue that chance as Southampton equalised. Rory Delap's header beat Jens Lehmann to peg Arsenal back and then there was massive shock around Highbury when Southampton took the lead when Rory Delap converted Neil McCann's corner to give Southampton a 2-1 lead with 5 minutes left. Arsenal were hoping for a repeat of the Middlesbrough game by coming from behind to win. Steve Wigley had endured a poor start to his managerial career at Southampton and was close to his first win in charge, and unbelievably at Highbury. However, substitute Cesc Fabregas set up Robin Van Persie who curled a shot into the top corner to equalise for Arsenal at the start of injury time and he could have snatched an incredible victory for Arsenal but his last minute header narrowly missed Niemi's goal. Arsenal were now level on points with Chelsea. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3947349.stm link title]

Crystal Palace 1-1 ARSENAL

Arsenal surrendered a comfortable position at the top of the league to Chelsea as they had another disappointing draw, this time to struggling Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Everyone thought Crystal Palace would be up against it when debutant Gonzalo Sorondo went off with an injury. Robert Pires, Jose Antonio Reyes and Thierry Henry threatened but never seriously troubled Gabor Kiraly. Henry had an effort which skimmed the post and Arsenal were beginning to become frustrated. Arsenal finally made the breakthrough when Fabregas and Ljungberg combined to set up Henry for a fortunate tap-in. Palace for all their hard work could count themselves unfortunate to go behind but then Palace got a deserved equaliser for all their hard work. Vassilis Lakis crossed in and Aki Riihilahti snook behind the Arsenal defence and headed calmly past Jens Lehmann. The game could have finished 2-2 when both teams had great chances near the end of the game. Lakis somehow missed from six yards and then a minute later, substitute Robin Van Persie was denied by an amazing save from the Hungarian stopper Gabor Kiraly. Arsenal were now second in the league and were hoping to turn this mini slump around or their prospects of defending their titles would turn into trying to hold onto 2nd and secure Champions League qualification. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3967923.stm link title]

Tottenham Hotspur 4-5 ARSENAL

Arsenal returned to winning ways in a topsy-turvy game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. This was one of the most entertaining North London derbies in the world

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References