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26/04/2004
Unbeaten Arsenal take Premiership title
Arsenal picked up their second premiership title on Sunday after their closest rivals Chelsea were undone by an Alan Shearer wonder strike at St James's Park.
Going into yesterday's fixtures, the Gunners knew that if Chelsea failed to win, a draw or a win would be enough to lift the title. And so it proved.
The final whistle at St James's Park saw the Magpies romp home 2-1 victors against the Super Blues – bringing the curtain down on big-spending Chelsea's title-chasing dreams. When the Gunners emerged from the tunnel at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane at 4pm, they knew that even a goalless draw would be enough to earn them the title.
The game ended 2-2, and the Premiership honours went to Arsenal.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger paid tribute to his players who captured the title after going unbeaten the whole season.
“I would like to congratulate all the players and my staff for their consistency and attitude. And also the fans who were here today so they could see us repeat what happened in 1971 [when Arsenal last clinched the title on Tottenhams' ground],” he said.
Mr Wenger said, that despite their unbeaten run (35 games so far), his side had not dominated the competition, adding that Manchester United had started 2004 as league leaders.
“For me to win the championship is the most difficult thing. It is 38 games and I respect everybody who has done it. I have not forgotten that in January Manchester United were four points in front. It may look like we have dominated this championship easily – we have not. When went out to Chelsea [in the Champions League] if they had won their two games over Easter – Aston Villa and Middlesbrough - they would have been close to us. It was closer than people think,” he said.
But a circumspect Arsene Wenger said that he was relieved at finally being crowned champions, adding: "Maybe I am less good at celebrations than I used to be because in football you are always focused on the next day. And the next day in our job is always a big worry.”
He said that his next "big worry" is to how to go the entire 38-game season unbeaten.
“Just to lose a game or two because you switch off is not ideal for me. When you are there after 34 games, you are so close and I would love to keep it going,” said Wenger.
It was a doubly satisfying day for Arsenal's Thierry Henry, who picked up the Professional Footballers Association's Player of the Year award for the second year running. His 29 premiership strikes, and total haul of 38 in all competitions, was enough to pip Chelsea's Frank Lampard into second place.
Henry is only the third player to win it twice – after Mark Hughes and former England captain Alan Shearer – and is the first to claim the PFA award two years in a row.
The Frenchman was one of six Arsenal players to earn a place in the PFA's Premiership Team of the Year. Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell, Lauren and Ashley Cole were also honoured.
"I am quite lucky to play in a special team," Henry said after collecting his award. "The strikers grab the headlines but I have special players around me.
"We play as a team and we are willing to fight for each other, and you need that ability. It's like we are a family, willing to do things together and fight for it."
(gmcg)
Going into yesterday's fixtures, the Gunners knew that if Chelsea failed to win, a draw or a win would be enough to lift the title. And so it proved.
The final whistle at St James's Park saw the Magpies romp home 2-1 victors against the Super Blues – bringing the curtain down on big-spending Chelsea's title-chasing dreams. When the Gunners emerged from the tunnel at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane at 4pm, they knew that even a goalless draw would be enough to earn them the title.
The game ended 2-2, and the Premiership honours went to Arsenal.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger paid tribute to his players who captured the title after going unbeaten the whole season.
“I would like to congratulate all the players and my staff for their consistency and attitude. And also the fans who were here today so they could see us repeat what happened in 1971 [when Arsenal last clinched the title on Tottenhams' ground],” he said.
Mr Wenger said, that despite their unbeaten run (35 games so far), his side had not dominated the competition, adding that Manchester United had started 2004 as league leaders.
“For me to win the championship is the most difficult thing. It is 38 games and I respect everybody who has done it. I have not forgotten that in January Manchester United were four points in front. It may look like we have dominated this championship easily – we have not. When went out to Chelsea [in the Champions League] if they had won their two games over Easter – Aston Villa and Middlesbrough - they would have been close to us. It was closer than people think,” he said.
But a circumspect Arsene Wenger said that he was relieved at finally being crowned champions, adding: "Maybe I am less good at celebrations than I used to be because in football you are always focused on the next day. And the next day in our job is always a big worry.”
He said that his next "big worry" is to how to go the entire 38-game season unbeaten.
“Just to lose a game or two because you switch off is not ideal for me. When you are there after 34 games, you are so close and I would love to keep it going,” said Wenger.
It was a doubly satisfying day for Arsenal's Thierry Henry, who picked up the Professional Footballers Association's Player of the Year award for the second year running. His 29 premiership strikes, and total haul of 38 in all competitions, was enough to pip Chelsea's Frank Lampard into second place.
Henry is only the third player to win it twice – after Mark Hughes and former England captain Alan Shearer – and is the first to claim the PFA award two years in a row.
The Frenchman was one of six Arsenal players to earn a place in the PFA's Premiership Team of the Year. Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell, Lauren and Ashley Cole were also honoured.
"I am quite lucky to play in a special team," Henry said after collecting his award. "The strikers grab the headlines but I have special players around me.
"We play as a team and we are willing to fight for each other, and you need that ability. It's like we are a family, willing to do things together and fight for it."
(gmcg)
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