Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal can surpass the legendary ‘Invincibles’ and be celebrated as the club’s greatest team in history if they achieve an incredible double by clinching the Champions League title, claims Martin Keown.
Although Arsenal has never lifted Europe’s most prestigious trophy in its 140-year existence, they will approach Saturday’s final against Paris Saint-Germain with great confidence following their recent Premier League victory.
The Gunners have previously secured the league and FA Cup double three times—in 1971, 1998, and 2002—while Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ famously completed a Premier League season without a single loss 22 years ago.
Keown, who was part of Wenger’s teams during the 1998, 2002, and 2004 victories, believes that this current squad will become immortalized as Arsenal’s “number ones” should they defeat defending champions PSG.
“They would be the first ever Champions League winners for Arsenal, making them the ‘Number Ones’—not the ‘Unforgettables’ (as Thierry Henry referred to) or the ‘Invincibles’. They’d be the real pioneers,” said Keown. “This achievement would set them apart as no other Arsenal team has accomplished it.”
“Arsenal has often struggled in Europe. We let the Cup Winners’ Cup slip away in 1995, and in 2000, Galatasaray outperformed us in the UEFA Cup final on penalties. The club desperately needs a significant triumph on the European stage,” he added.
“They’ve gone unbeaten in this season’s Champions League so far, which is a point of pride, although it’s a feat that can vanish quickly. Winning would etch them into Arsenal history, serving as an incredible incentive for the players.”
“As a player, hearing Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ had a profound effect; it instilled belief that anything was achievable.”
After celebrating their league title with a private gathering at Mayfair’s Bacchanalia restaurant, the Arsenal squad was given a day off from training.
Arteta’s team will head to Hungary on Thursday to prepare for the match at the Puskas Arena, set for 48 hours later.
Keown, now a pundit for the final airing live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, remarked: “I hope there’s enough time between their celebrations to transform them into a focused unit.”
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“They need to channel that intensity again—harness their anger to secure a victory. I’m confident they are currently undergoing this transition.”
“Training sessions will have intensified. They must shift out of celebration mode back into a determined mindset. Perhaps this group isn’t daunted by the club’s history; their potential is limitless. I hope they can draw extra motivation from this opportunity and take flight to achieve something truly extraordinary.”