By AJ The Gunner
November 8 2005

Just imagine if Arsene had actually said his team could go more than 49 games unbeaten (when he said he thought his team was good enough to go a season unbeaten the press ridiculed him) yet Chelsea players boasted they could do it, and take the record way beyond.

 As Chelsea reached 40 unbeaten Arsenal fans could see a dark cloud threatening the invincibles record. AJ the Gunner sums up her feelings on Man Utd’s feat of stopping Chelsea in the article below:

 

Not often do we experience a situation where Arsenal fans are backing Man Utd to win a game, especially if the win sees them leap over us in the league standings. This was the case on Sunday in the clash between Chelsea and a Utd squad seeking to end a miserable week.

 

Every Arsenal fan held their breath as each Chelsea win threatened our unbeaten run record but in this case The Red Devils proved again that by hook or crook they have one sick ability left, to end unbeaten records. This time it was not to be the battle of buffets, as Man Utd did the Gunners the best, and only favour they could offer by keeping our 49 games unbeaten record intact. As if that wasn’t enough they guaranteed that this season no team will beat our record of going the entire season winning the league without a defeat.

 

Frankly, watching Chelsea, so far, this season win games they didn’t deserve to win while getting ever so close to our 49 games record was threatening to be a bitter pill to swallow. I have to admit Arsenal fans were getting nervous. But I was expecting Liverpool to do the damage for us, but that game ended to my surprise in a 4:1 victory.  I began to wonder whether I should just give up and watch them go past our record. It was as if every time they played a team that gave them a run for their money, either the team was plagued by injuries, or match bans to their key players, or the referee ended the contest by issuing a red card.

 

The fact that they have an arrogant coach who has no regards for footballing authorities didn’t help much, but after the Everton game I could sense that Chelsea just might not get past the famous 49; and Man Utd granted us Gunners our hearts desire.

 

Ever since The Blues claimed their first league trophy in 50 years last season and their skipper set his sights on matching Arsenal's feat of 2003/4, that saw us remain invincible throughout the Premiership campaign, I wondered if they were setting the bar too high. To hear Terry state that he believes that setting such an ambitious target is essential for the Stamford Bridge outfit if they are to keep progressing.  And then insisting that Roman Abramovich's side will not rest on their laurels after claiming two trophies last year, suggested to me that it may be slowly becoming an obsession for Chelsea to surpass Arsenal’s record. Who could blame them when they have an endless pit of cash to buy any player who wanted a huge wage and less playing time.

“Our aim next season has to be to go through the season without losing at all. In The league Arsenal showed in 2003/4 season that it can be done and none of us sees any reason why we can't do it as well. Maybe targeting an unbeaten season is setting the bar high but that's what this club is all about now. We have to aim high.” Terry Quoted.

Someone should have warned the Stamford Bridge outfit that this task and achievement is easier said than done. I am not taking anything away from them, forty games unbeaten was pretty much too close for comfort, but with I am more than content that it was never 49.

Del Horno who has not even spent an entire season at Chelsea sounded so naïve when he stated that the Blues could make history this season by completing a clean sweep of all four competitions they are involved in. “I think it's possible for Chelsea to win everything this season. We’re a team of winners and have an amazing manager who's a winner too. Now I want to go the whole season unbeaten, although that may be too much to ask, but this team is ready to make history by winning everything”

Well instead of making history again, or taking a slice of Arsenal’s historic record, to my delight Chelsea effectively gave Man Utd the history of becoming a team who ends the long unbeaten runs of their rivals. Mourinho stated after the game that Chelsea were unlucky, well someone should inform him that lady luck has a right to jump ship any time she wishes and it was about time. A perfect Time (He had his share of luck this season, at Wigan, and Drogba’s nobbly knee goal against us. Plus numerous handballs in the area. Ed) .

Much as I Hate Utd’s bullying playing style, mind games, and diving skills, I must thank them for ensuring that Arsenal remain the only team in the English league to go the entire season unbeaten, and win the league title; as well as ensuring our 49 games unbeaten record remains  intact.