‘Once I was at Leicester, should you’d instructed me they’d win the league earlier than Arsenal, I’d have known as you a lunatic. Day-after-day there have been cigarette buts down the toilet’: Gunners legend compares Invincibles to 2015/16 Premier League title winners

February 6, 2025

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Arsenal legend Martin Keown remains to be astounded how Leicester Metropolis managed to win the Premier League title extra lately than the Gunners, having hung out at each golf equipment throughout his profession.

After profitable the Premier League title unbeaten in 2003/04, Keown departed Arsenal for then-Championship facet Leicester as a 37-year-old. The Foxes had simply been relegated from the highest flight and wished expertise to bolster their defence for the Championship, with Keown revealing simply how huge the distinction in requirements have been between the 2 golf equipment in that interval.

A decade later, although, it was Leicester lifting the Premier League title on the King Energy Stadium, beating Arsenal to the title within the course of. Actually, the Gunners have failed of their pursuit of the league trophy since that unbeaten season over 20 years in the past – one thing that also shocks Keown.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown shocked Leicester managed to go from also-rans into Premier League title winners

Leicester Premier League title celebrate with the title in 2015/16 held aloft by Claudio Ranieri and Wes Morgan Arsenal

Leicester gained the title in 2015/16 (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)

“Once I was there [in 2004/05], should you’d instructed me Leicester would win a Premier League title earlier than Arsenal, I’d’ve known as you a raving lunatic,” Keown completely tells FourFourTwo. “The membership was so far-off from being on the stage it wanted to be at.

“Each morning, I’d go to the bathroom and there’d be a cigarette butt down the toilet and a lighter. Each morning I’d throw that lighter out, and the following day there’d all the time be a brand new one. It was a really totally different expertise, having come from Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. However for them to go on and win the Premier League 12 years later? That achievement must be proper up there. Let’s say it’s second to the Invincibles.”

Arsenal players celebrate with the Premier League trophy in May 2004 after winning the title without losing a single game in 2003/04.

Arsenal rejoice going a season unbeaten (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)

Highlighting that Invincibles marketing campaign, Keown believes it is the Premier League’s best achievement. Although he solely made 10 appearances, with simply three of these in beginning XI, the England worldwide highlights what made it so particular.

“It’s one thing nobody else has completed, so in all probability, sure [it’s the greatest achievement]. I’d seen a lot of these younger gamers stroll into the constructing, after which they have been peaking collectively. Kolo Toure, Ashley Cole, Thierry Henry, Sol Campbell – I watched as they went on this journey,” Keown says.

“I used to be nonetheless pleased to play and I provided loads on the pitch, however I additionally felt like an additional coach at occasions. There was an actual togetherness.

“What I cherished about that squad was not solely the greatness on the pitch, however how nice the individuals have been. It was my final season on the membership, and I did discover it very tough to tear myself away from that group, in addition to from the membership itself.”

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Martin Keown of Leicester City in action during the Coca-Cola Championship League match between Leicester City and Sheffield United at The Walkers Stadium on September 14, 2004 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) Arsenal

Keown in motion for Leicester (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)

In FourFourTwo‘s view, it is tough to decide on between Arsenal’s Invincibles, Leicester’s title and Manchester Metropolis’s Centurions marketing campaign when deciding on the best Premier League achievement.

Arsenal aren’t in FA Cup motion this weekend after being knocked out within the third spherical, however Leicester tackle Manchester United.

‘Once I was at Leicester, should you’d instructed me they’d win the league earlier than Arsenal, I’d have known as you a lunatic. Day-after-day there have been cigarette buts down the toilet’: Gunners legend compares Invincibles to 2015/16 Premier League title winners

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