Arsenal team of the decade (1997-2007)

 

When Arsene Wenger took over Arsenal Football Club in October 2006, he was relatively unknown in the English football community. However, since his arrival, Wenger has transformed Arsenal into a successful multinational team with a strong emphasis on elegant and attacking football.

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As a passionate Arsenal fan for the last ten years, I have had the privilege of witnessing Wenger's entire tenure as the club's technical director. In that time, I have seen the club win the Premier League title three times (1998, 2002 and 2004), the FA Cup four times (1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005) and reach the UEFA Cup final and the final of the Champions League once each. (2000 and 2006 respectively). I have seen many great players come and go from the club from all over the world and I have been spoiled by ประวัติทีมอาร์เซนอล.

So without further ado, I am pleased to present, playing in Wenger's favorite 4-4-2 formation, the Arsenal Team of the Decade.

Goalkeeper of the Decade: Jens Lehmann

German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann joined Arsenal in July 2003 as a replacement for Englishman David Seaman. While many fans will undoubtedly question Lehmann's selection in this team over his predecessor, I think it's hard to argue with Lehmann's outstanding performances for Arsenal. In his first season with the club, Lehmann spent the entire Premiership season without losing a game, a staggering tribute to his consistency and scoring ability.

His next season was less spectacular, but he had a significant performance as man of the match in Arsenal's victory in the FA Cup final over bitter rivals Manchester United. Lehmann moved up another notch in the 2005/06 season when he was undefeated his entire Champions League campaign with Arsenal until, sadly, he was sent off in the final. He was subsequently awarded the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Year.

An astonishing save by Real Madrid's Raúl in the quarter-final second leg and a major late save from Juan Riquelme's penalty in the semi-final second leg against Villareal were the highlights of his campaign. Lehmann has always been a good shot stopper and despite his tendency to be hyped, he deserves his spot as Arsenal's Goalkeeper of the Decade.

Best moment: With Arsenal 1-0 ahead of Villareal on aggregate and on the brink of their first Champions League final, their opponents were awarded a penalty at the end to give Riquelme a chance to send the tie into extra time. But Jens Lehmann came up, dived to their left and avoided Riquelme's penalty to provoke delirium in the Arsenal field and lead them to their first Champions League final.

Right back of the decade: Lauren

Cameroonian midfielder Lauren came to Arsenal from Real Mallorca in 2000 and became Arsenal's starting right-back for the 2001/02 season. He was an integral part of the Arsenal defense that won the double that season, equally adept at defending and attacking and forming a vital partnership with Freddie Ljungberg on the right flank.

Lauren was an incredibly talented player with exceptional technical ability. She combined this technique with great speed and aggression to make the ideal attacking right back. She was a member of the Arsenal squad that went undefeated the Premiership season in 2003-2004 but was suspended for four games for facing Ruud van Nistelrooij after the Manchester United striker missed a penalty against Arsenal at Old Trafford.