- Gunners last landed Premier League title in 2003-04
- Completed that entire top-flight campaign unbeaten
- Arteta hoping to enjoy similar success with class of 2025
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Getty ImagesBack in 2003-04, the last time that the Gunners lifted the Premier League title, the north London outfit completed an entire top-flight campaign unbeaten. Arsene Wenger was calling the shots back then, while all-time greats such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp formed part of star-studded ranks.
England international Campbell was a defensive rock, with the classy centre-half savouring two championship wins and a couple of FA Cup triumphs during his iconic first spell with Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s class of 2024-25 are hoping to enjoy similar success in the present and immediate future.
Google PixelThey have plenty of talent at their disposal and Campbell - speaking as part of the Google Pixel ‘Switch Like Sol’ campaign - told GOAL when asked who could make it into the fabled ‘Invincibles’: “The two centre-halves – [William] Salbia, definitely, and Gabriel for sure. I think [Bukayo] Saka as well. [Martin] Odegaard looks like he could do a bit back in the day for us. [Gabriel] Martinelli as well, he can be incredible. [Jurrien] Timber is looking really good. Also [David] Raya, the keeper.
“It’s difficult because the physicality was different for a keeper. You would have to deal with guys that would really block you in. This blocking the keeper has been around a long time in football – Stoke used to do it, Wimbledon back in the day. It’s not new rocket science now, blocking players or keepers, or blocking paths. It’s just about being clever with it.”
Campbell was joined in Wenger’s starting XI on a regular basis in 2003-04 by versatile Ivorian Kolo Toure, with the pair forging quite the centre-half partnership. Saliba and Gabriel now provide the steel at the heart of Arsenal’s defence and are considered by many to be the most formidable duo in European football.
Getty/GOALQuizzed on whether such a standing is deserved, Campbell said: “Where they are now, through statistics and things like that and the quality that we see them play with now, we see them reaching a really good level and I can see that. Definitely they are there for sure, one of the best partnerships across Europe.
“Now it’s the tweaks, the little details here and there. It’s really sensing danger, sometimes there is a time to pass and sometimes play the safe option and wait. Talking a bit more I think will come with experience and age. They are looking incredible. Recently, they are solid. It’s nice to see. It’s a great partnership to build on. That’s what it’s about – foundations. You build the foundations, you have got a chance.”
Campbell, who graced the books at Arsenal and Tottenham in his playing days, will be an interested observer when north London rivalries are rekindled on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium. He is also keeping a close eye on the January transfer window, as several players consider ‘upgrading’ as he once did.
Sol Campbell starred in Google Pixel’s Switch Like Sol Film by switching to Google Pixel 9 and joining #TeamPixel. Make the Switch Like Sol and get up to £400 extra credit when trading in your phone for a Google Pixel 9 this transfer window. Visit Google Store for more details