CHASING PERFECTION
ON 7 MAY 2003, Robert Pires and Jermaine Pennant each scored a hat-trick as Arsenal beat Southampton 6-1 and embarked on a streak that earned them the nickname of THE INVINCIBLES. The 49-match unbeaten run that started 20 years ago brought Arsenal’s thirteenth league title (they have not — yet — won it since) but it was not quite perfect. When Preston North End had an undefeated league season in 1888-89, the only other top-flight English side to do so, they also won the FA Cup. Arsenal’s Invincibles went out of three cup competitions.
