Comparing Arsenal's 2014-15 Crop to the Last Gunners Side to Win the Title

After beating Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday, Arsenal have now won eight Premier League games in a row. The last time they accomplished that feat was 2004: the same year in which they last lifted the title. That has led to speculation over whether this current crop could be the men to end the long wait for Premier League glory.

In this piece, we break down the squads by position, analysing the respecting strengths and weaknesses of the Arsenal sides of 2004 and 2015.

Goalkeeper

In 2003/04, Arsenal benefited from a single dominant figure between the sticks. Not only was Jens Lehmann confident at charging out of goal to deal with crosses, but he also played every single Premier League game. His immediate deputy, Stuart Taylor, was largely out with injury problems, so the bench was occupied for long periods by inexperienced Irish keeper Graham Stack.

With both Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina available for selection, and the promising Emiliano Martinez impressing in a loan spell at Rotherham, Arsenal arguably have more depth in the goalkeeping position at present.

Competition is important, but Arsenal have generally enjoyed more success under Arsene Wenger when they have had a clear No. 1. All his title-winning sides have featured either David Seaman or Lehmann, and it’s not immediately apparent that either of Ospina or Szczesny have the stature to follow in their footsteps. The goalkeeping position is one that Arsenal may look to improve to cement their status as credible title-challengers.

Defence

Arsenal’s 2004 defence was surprisingly effective given the provenance of some of the players. Three of the key components—Ashley Cole, Lauren, and Kolo Toure—had spent much of the early part of their careers as midfielders before being converted by Wenger. They were tied together by the towering Sol Campbell, with Martin Keown and Pascal Cygan providing cover when required.

ALASTAIR GRANT/Associated Press

In the course of the season, they conceded just 26 league goals. This year, Arsenal have already conceded 32.

Once again, Arsenal are able to call upon a greater variety of options. In every position in the back four, they have several international class alternatives. However, they’re yet to gel in to as cohesive a unit.

Midfield

The Invincibles’ midfield is one of the greatest in Premier League history. With the creativity and goalscoring of Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg on the flanks, Arsenal were anchored by an outstanding partnership between Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva. There have been few more physically intimidating midfield duos in English football.

Until recently, it was that power and muscularity that Arsenal’s midfield lacked. The likes of Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla ensured there was plenty of flair, but there was clear lack of bite at the base of the midfield trio.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Francis Coquelin’s emergence has gone some way toward changing that. However, as good as he’s been, he’s a long way from earning comparison with a pair of World Cup-winners. What’s more, he’s unique in the Arsenal squad. When Vieira was out, Wenger knew he could rely on the likes of Edu or Ray Parlour to be just as forceful in the challenge.

Coquelin is one of several midfielders on Arsenal’s books who could yet improve. The likes of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are not yet at their peak. Wenger will hope that as they progress they are eventually able to match up to those who’ve gone before them.

Attack

Arsenal racked up 73 league goals in their title-winning campaign. The Gunners need 10 goals from six games to match that record, which suggests their attack is almost as prolific as that fabled stable of strikers from a decade ago.

Alexis Sanchez has become the first player since Thierry Henry to score 20 goals in his debut season for the Gunners. Olivier Giroud may lack Henry’s blistering pace or Dennis Bergkamp’s eye for a pass, but he has carved a niche for himself as a different kind of Arsenal striker, utilising his power and aerial ability to great effect. Giroud is arguably the one type of player who was missing from the Arsenal squad of 2003/04. With him as an alternative option, they would have been even stronger.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Both squads are blessed with great riches up top. The Invincibles could call on established internationals like Kanu and Sylvain Wiltord when required, while the current crop of Arsenal attackers is so luxuriant that Lukas Podolski has found himself shipped out on loan and Theo Walcott can barely get a game.

Manager

There has been a pervading sense over the past few years that Arsene Wenger is not quite the manager he was.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

This recent run has gone some way toward overturning that belief. If Wenger can top it all by overcoming Jose Mourinho for the first time in the forthcoming clash with Chelsea, many of the doubts over his abilities will be dispelled.

Summary

This might be the strongest Arsenal squad since the Invincibles, but they’re still some way short of their legendary predecessors. 

In most areas of the park, the current squad does seem to have greater depth. That’s most likely a facet of the modern game. However, there are several key individuals—Lehmann, Campbell, Vieira and Henry—who have no obvious equivalent in the current setup in terms of status or achievement. Arsenal must hope that a few of the current crop can step up a gear to match up their legendary predecessors.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.