Arsenal lost title to Leeds in dramatic fashion before making ultimate comeback
Arsenal welcome Leeds to the Emirates on Saturday knowing at this stage of the season only a win will do.
Mikel Arteta's side currently sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, though nearest challengers and reigning champions Manchester City have played one game less and are waiting in the wings for the Gunners to slip up. The current crop of Arsenal players, outside of those who once played for City, aren't used to the kind of pressure that comes with pursuing the title.
No game can be taken for granted or written off as a straightforward three points, as the Gunners squad of 2003 found out in brutal and humbling fashion against none other than - you guessed it, Saturday's opponents Leeds.
Cast your mind back to just under 20 years ago. Arsenal donned the same red and white they will this weekend, though in a different ground nowadays as the Gunners still considered Highbury their home back then.
Much like they are nearly two decades later, Arsenal were vying for the title, though they didn't boast quite as comfortable position as they do currently.
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What was then Arsene Wenger's side took on a Leeds team under the interim reign of Peter Reid who arrived in north London knowing a win would secure their status in the Premier League for another season. The fact that it would also hand arch rivals Manchester United the title was a bitter pill both teams would have to swallow.
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Ian Harte celebrates scoring Leeds' second against ArsenalHighbury was stunned into silence just five minutes after the first whistle when Harry Kewell lashed home a lethal half-volley beyond the despairing dive of David Seaman, but the mercurial talent of Thierry Henry drew the hosts level 30 minutes in.
Four minutes into the second half, Ian Harte's free-kick found its way through a crowded box and into the Arsenal net to restore the Leeds lead. Bear in mind this was the Arsenal of 2003, not 2013, so there was a level of resilience and grit in this squad.
As a result, Dennis Bergkamp prodded home from close range to ensure the honours were even once again. With the momentum now entirely in Arsenal's favour, the Highbury faithful were in full voice as they tried to inspire a Gunners winner.
In the 88th minute, a chorus of unbridled noise erupted, though much to Wenger's dismay it was coming from the away end. Mark Viduka turned Oleh Luzhnyi inside out before curling a left-footed effort past Seaman.
The Gunners goalkeeper could have been forgiven for cursing his luck, with Seaman left helpless for all three Leeds' strikes.
Viduka's goal had sunk Arsenal and left Wenger with little option but to try and rally his troops, though not even 'Le Professeur' could have predicted what was to come.
Arsenal's stars were left crestfallen after handing the title to Man Utd"No revolution is needed," the Arsenal boss insisted.
"We can all learn from this and we have to do that as a team. That is our priority. We are nowhere near finished.
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"It's down to me not to fall into the excessive judgments that other people make. I'm deeply disappointed, but should I be complaining and feeling sorry for myself or should I be determined to come back stronger?"
And come back stronger they did, this miserable afternoon against Leeds in May 2003 was the last time Arsenal experienced defeat for 17 months.
Their next slip up came in the incredibly controversial 2-0 loss away at United just under a year-and-a-half later in October 2004. Between then, the small feat of going an entire league season unbeaten was achieved as Arsenal wrestled the 2003/04 title back from the Red Devils.
With that being said, surely every member of the Emirates faithtful would sooner win on Saturday than risk losing the title to another Manchester club.
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