Arsenal's 2003-2004 season has become legendary in the history of the Premier League and club soccer. Crowned champions of England without suffering a single loss, Arsène Wenger's "Invincibles" are still talked about 20 years later. The French manager reflected on the dynamics of this incredible unbeaten run : "Not losing strengthens the team's belief and solidifies the values on which the group was built. It allows players to put their egos aside because the team is no longer questioned by defeat. Automatically, the coach's position is strengthened, and the fear of losing also disappears for the manager," explained Wenger, who managed the Gunners from 1996 to 2018. "I would go into games to enjoy how my team played, without thinking about whether we would win or lose." This feeling is one that many coaches might dream of experiencing, as they have likely already observed the advantage that comes from respect, or even fear, of the opposition, as Wenger described: "Teams that come in with fear take fewer risks and accept being on the defensive, which gives you a significant advantage in how you express your game." It's that psychological edge every manager aspires to achieve.
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In 22 years at Arsenal, Arsène Wenger has won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups (here in 2015) / ©Presse Sports